Welcome from Tolkien Illustrator, Kip Rasmussen

Hi everyone, this is Kip Rasmussen, Tolkien Illustrator. I met all of you at a convention somewhere in the western United States, either in Portland, San Jose, Salt Lake City, Las Vegas or Reno. Thank you for signing up for my emails. I plan to blog occasionally in praise of Tolkien's work, and include a piece of my concept art or a finished painting. I hope we can have some fun discussing the world of Tolkien.

Those who have visited my booth share my love for the works of Tolkien. I am a family therapist by trade and have spent most of my career trying to help people and their families with all kinds of emotional struggles. But, like millions of others, I turn to the works of Tolkien to recharge. I love The Lord of the Rings and The Hobbit. But, for me The Silmarilllion ranks as one of the preeminent works of art ever created. I was so struck by it that I craved seeing the images in paint. At first, I was very hesitant because I wasn't an experienced painter but still wanted to do justice to the mighty work. Then I found some encouragement in the words of the great man himself:

          "The cycles should be linked to a majestic whole, and yet leave scope for other minds and hands wielding paint and music and drama." --J.R.R. Tolkien

So there it was: permission to paint his work. That was enough for me. I'll paint it to my life's end. Here is a painting of my conceptualization of the towering civilization of Numenor.

"Sunrise on Numenor"

"Sunrise on Numenor"

I also have a couple questions for you. First, let me tell you what images are to come. Here is my proposed list: 1) Caranthir,the son of Feanor at dark Lake Helevorn, 2) Morgoth descending upon Arda as a towering spirit of wrath, 3) King Fingon in battle versus Gothmog, Lord of the Balrogs. What additional scenes from The Silmarillion would you like to see depicted?

I also wanted to ask for your opinions on what to call the blog. Here some I have "borrowed" from Tolkien:

  1. "The Tower Hills"
  2. "The Spring of Arda"
  3. "The Light of the Trees"
  4. "The Tower of the Sun"
  5. "The Silverlode"
  6. "The Golden Wood"
  7. "The Mingling of the Lights"

What are your thoughts or additional ideas?

Thanks,

Kip