Sleepyhead

SLEEPYHEAD 1999

Limited edition print publication date: 1999
Edition size: 995 copies
Published price: £70
Maximum known secondary market price sold for: £550

Gary says “A drawing to put a smile on your face.

“I think the lighting raises the impact of this drawing, giving it a sunny atmosphere. I was really pleased with the weight of the animal, firmly plonked on the ground and also the fur came across as I wanted… dense looking and shaggy.

"I drew this for a solo show at the Everyman foyer gallery, Hampstead. Sleepyhead was bought by long term friends who also commissioned me to draw their two (at that time) children. Many other good friends supported me in the 1980s with commissions. They were usually drawings of their family pets, dogs, cats and horses. This was a great training ground for me, to try and delve into the characters of the particular animal and portray them as their human companions saw them. This made me look at wild animals in a similar, in depth way and I’m sure it improved my drawing skills and my ability to really “see”.

“When I decided to release Sleepyhead as a print in 1999, I borrowed it back and with my friends approval, spent quite a few days fleshing it out with more detail, tone and life until I was happy with it. Between 1995 and 2004 I updated a number of drawings in this way.

“Sleepyhead has been my most popular polar bear picture so far.

“A print of Sleepyhead is currently on the Giving Lots auction site in aid of Animals Asia. Their aim is to protect all animals in Asia, with a particular focus on the horrific bear bile trade. The auction ends at 3pm on 6th February 2012.”