BETTE DAVIS JOAN CRAWFORD

Time Out Magazine recently voted the series of Joan and Bette as

the best card in town.

It has been a pleasure watching old Hollywood films and creating these illustrations.

My main hope is that it will spark off further general interest in these old films.

I was too young to have seen any the movies by these two legends first time round. When in 1989, a clip from 'Baby Jane' was shown on the news, announcing that the legendary actress, Bette Davis, had died, I was fascinated by what I was seeing on the screen and I began to search for films made by these two stars. A few years ago, I started to collect rare photos of them and drew from these photos. I hope my illustrations will bring enjoyment to you, as they have brought me and perhaps it might spark off your interest in these old classics as well.

When I was studying at the London College of Printing, I always found myself looking through books of illustrations and trying to establish my own style.

A poor attempt at caricature, but forgiven by Dame Edna.

* means photo not taken by Roy

My subjects mostly revolved around women's faces, I was especially intrigued by their expressive eyes.

After many attempts, the one piece of work that I was most satisfied with was an illustrations of Miss Liza Minnelli, see above. This was inspired by a scene from the film Lucky Lady. Her eyes were her trade mark, here, I used a white background without any colouring in her face, thus, exaggerating the eyes even more.

Here, in 1979 seen here with Ms Minnelli when she was performing at the Royal Opera House in Martha Graham's The Owl and the Pussy Cat, as the narrator.