Hello everyone! Welcome to my first journal entry…
I’m putting up some new drawings that I did whilst reading and thoroughly enjoying the book Wicked by Gregory Maguire. For anyone who hasn’t read it it is essentially a re-imagined back story to L. Frank Baum’s The Wonderful Wizard of Oz. We get to see how Elphaba, the Wicked Witch of the West, came to be considered evil. The book really got to me. I love that Gregory Maguire has turned the once quite one-dimensional characters from L. Frank Baum’s classic tale into fully rounded entities with realistic desires, flaws and past experiences that have shaped them. For anyone interested in books that don’t merely separate the world into good/bad black/white piles then I recommend this. It’s gritty, funny and so visually descriptive that I had no choice but to dust off my visual diary and create some sketches of my own. I’m putting up seven of these sketches that turned out okay. The six illustrations in the book itself, by Douglas Smith, are really lovely so I recommend taking a look at them – my drawings in no way compare!
The book has also been turned into a musical. I doubt that the stage version will have the punch that the book has but I have my ticket for when it arrives in Melbourne anyway. Fingers crossed it’s not too horrendous.
Next I must thank my dear friends Sylvia Karall and Monica Rutherford for letting me use your scanner, feeding me, making me feel wanted and for helping me with my general computer illiteracy. I would not be on this site without you!!! They’re also both very talented. Here’s the link to artwork by Sylvia Karall
As well as the jewellery of Monica Rutherford
Enjoy!
One last thing, I’d like to say a huge thank you to everyone who comments on my work and sends me messages. I appreciate it immensely.
I hope you enjoy the new pictures everybody and there will be more coming soon.
Love Paul
butchart, 3 months ago
paul….. you inspire me daily….. thanks for the heads up… i will seek out the book AND your wonderful work….............keep shining…..........b
Tambala, 3 months ago
The book sounds excellent – I’m going to hunt it down! Thanks for the recommendation!
Will be back later to look at your sketches..your work is fab!
purelydecorative, 3 months ago
Wonderful Paul! And can I come to that dinner party you mention in your profile? I promise to bring champagne.
ladyb, 3 months ago
Ooh. I want to read it.
Yasemin Sumner, 3 months ago
Paul! Wicked is one of my favourites! Poor Poor Elphaba…I can’t wait to see your take on this one…yay. Have you read Confessions of an Ugly Stepsister? Glorious in the same way.
Luckyvegetable, 3 months ago
I love that book! I’m with Yase on this, can’t wait to see what you come up with..
pinkyjain, 3 months ago
i’m still in the midst & enjoying “Wicked” immensley. i think it is so wonderful it compelled you to do your own illustrations. i have done this my self in honor to the books or authors who have moved me so deeply. You are so wonderful and beautiful Paul. And i would love to come to your dinner, also.
Steven Guy, 3 months ago
I thnink I need to go and buy the book, thanks Paul.
Paul Compton in reply to pinkyjain’s comment, 3 months ago
Consider yourself officially invited to the dinner party pinkyjain! Thank you from the bottom of my heart for your support and love pinkyjain.
pinkyjain, 3 months ago
i’m beginning to relate very well to Elphaba, i just was reading in “City Of Emeralds” where Fiyero is following her on her mission (first for Fiyero to witness). In my many forays of Animal rightism we would sneak into conferences, or lectures, mostly relating to Animal testing in laboratories, mostly to cause havoc, to let the public know how the Animals suffer, and i just knew how she was feeling, the anticipation, the knowledge that what she was doing was right. She is going to be my hero too, i believe. And thank you also Paul for all the support & encourgement you have given me, it means the world to me. The Vampire series is one of my most cherished projects & i am beyond delighted that it has brought such pleasure to you, thank you so much
MhDkHr, 3 months ago
great paul!
I want to read it…
coming soon!
Monica Rutherford, 2 months ago
Hello Paul! I am not a great reader but now I want to read this book and the original Oz books and watch the movies again. Have you seen “Tin Man”, a mini series that has reinvented the Wizard of Oz a few generations later? I cannot say I recommend it beyond curiosity, but I did enjoy it. And, THANK YOU for the link – You’re a star for putting up with me and my mum – Your work is wonderful and, as always, I can’t wait to see what you draw next.
Paul Compton in reply to Monica Rutherford’s comment, 2 months ago
Yep, I think I’ll have to see this Tin Man series. I’ll keep an eye out for it. I will lend you my copy of The Wizard of Oz with unique illustrations by Lisbeth Zwerger – it’s one of my all-time favourite books. Thank you so much for commenting. (I’m so glad the link actually worked!!!)
bchrisdesigns, 2 months ago
Paul, your work is amazing!!!! I am constantly in awe! I love Gregory Maguire’s work as well. Wicked was so awesome to read and it kept me glues! Have your read Son of a Witch yet? I also read Confessions of an Ugly Stepsister and, whoah, deep stuff there! He inspires me fully! I am glad to know you my friend! Keep up the awesome work you do!
Lois Romer, 2 months ago
wow, who is having a dinner party, yum. well i have not heard of the book only the musical and i try ans steer clear of musicals, the tend to end up having Rhonda Burchmore in them and ohhhhhh . enough said.
Paul Compton, 2 months ago
Just heard that the Melbourne version has Rob Mills playing Fiyero and Anthony Callea playing the munchkin Boq. Oh no, oh no, oh no.
BLYTHART, 2 months ago
I am three quarters of the way through reading wicked and I too can recommend it. Paul told me about it and it’s areally good read.
Damian, 19 days ago
Has the musical happened in Melbourne yet? I really can’t imagine Wicked as a musical. The book was bittersweet for me, being the tragedy that it is, and the continual injustices’ that were never righted, and the many groups that were living with no hope. I want to read it again, but don’t know if I can.
Paul Compton in reply to Damian’s comment, 19 days ago
The musical has just started in Melbourne. I will be seeing it next month. I’m certain it will be a much more light-weight affair than the book but I’m really into costumes and sets so i’ll definitely enjoy it for that aspect. Indeed the book is very bittersweet. I was surprised by the amount of “reality” I found in the book. I’ve read it twice but can understand that it can be seen as quite a disheartening book.
Damian, 18 days ago
Enjoy the show! I know I’d still go as well :)
And I loved the book, truely. I wasn’t so much disheartened by it as many of the characters ‘living’ it. It really was a call to arms against injustice and unfairness, as the book left me wanting someone, anyone, to right the wrongs being done. By the time Elphie fights back it’s already too late, and she’s already disintegrated.
A funny thing really, as you know how it ends before you start, yet I spent the whole book hoping the author would pull some stunt and not end it that way, yet also knowing the book would have no impact if he did.
Paul Compton in reply to Damian’s comment, 18 days ago
The inevitable tragic ending really marked the book as a classic gothic narrative. I knew I’d love it before I even began. I love your insights Damian and thank you so much. Thanks – I will enjoy the show : )
LoveMy7Cs, 8 days ago
Not having read the book yet I can’t compare it to the play.
It was spectacular…and I always love the book more then the movie/play.
Hope you’re not disappointed!