Book Beat 144 James McMullan

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James McMullan has illustrated books, magazine articles and covers, record covers, postage stamps, and more than eighty posters for theatrical productions at New York’s Lincoln Center. In 1986 McMullan traveled to Southern California on an assignment for an advertising campaign. There he began work on a series of paintings for a Beach Resort in Orange County. While the project didn’t allow him the creative freedom he normally had, McMullan still managed to bring his artistic flair to the images. Here is a small collection of original art that grew out of that project. They are followed by a few children’s books he illustrated, a biography and a book covering his famous posters. Availability subject to prior sale.

Entrance to a Newport Beach Resort with pueblo-style adobe architecture. A man a woman are headed to tennis courts. It's a lovely day at the Resort. — Resort Entrance (ORIGINAL WATERCOLOR ART) SIGNED

Tranquility reins in this picturesque watercolor of a Newport Beach Resort entrance. Greenery and palm trees add elegance to the landscape. A couple with tennis rackets in hand, appear to be making their way to the courts. SIGNED. Read More

$1,000.00

James McMullan painting shows guests enjoying resort amenities in the lobby. A huge picture window of a bay as a backdrop. Rough version. Unsigned. — Resort Lobby (ORIGINAL WATERCOLOR ART)

Guests enjoying the amenities while sitting at a table in the Resort lobby. There is a spouting-fountain adding to the ambiance. A huge picture window offers a view of sail boats on the bay. Land is barely visible in the distance. This is a rough of a more finished piece McMullan did later. Unsigned. Read More

$800.00

Guests are enjoying the amenities of a ocean resort lobby. They sit by a huge picture window with a view of a bay as a backdrop. Finish. Signed. — Resort Lobby (ORIGINAL WATERCOLOR ART) SIGNED.

Guests enjoying the amenities while sitting at a table in the Resort lobby. Behind them a huge picture window with a view of several sail boats and the breakwater in the bay. The lobby has a spouting-fountain adding to the ambiance. This is a finished piece. SIGNED. Read More

$1000.00

Lovely watercolor of a resort dock. Several boats are in slips. A dinghy floats in the foreground. A man is bent over, handling a mooring line. — Resort Dock (ORIGINAL WATERCOLOR ART) SIGNED

Dockside at the Resort Marina. There are several boats in slips plus a dinghy floating at the ready. A bike leans against one of the pillings. A man is bent over, handling the mooring line of a boat. SIGNED. Read More

$1000.00

In this view #1, the greenery is bigger than views #2 and #3, making the resort less exposed. Boaters are on the bay, sail boats in the forefront. Resort in background. The sky is blue. — Resort Bayside View #1 (ORIGINAL WATERCOLOR ART)

Resort Bayside View #1: Boating and sailing on the bay. Only some sail panel seams are distinct, other sails are smooth. It appears to be early in the day. The Resort in background is framed in front by large, impressionistic greenery. Several palm trees add to the ambiance.This is a rough. Unsigned. Read More

$800.00

Boating view #2. McMullan's painting gives one the sense of experiencing boating and sailing on the bay. A bayside, modern adobe-style resort in the background. SIGNED. — Resort Bayside View #2 (ORIGINAL WATERCOLOR ART) SIGNED

Resort Bayside View #2. McMullan’s painting gives one the sense of experiencing boating and sailing on the bay. The sails are smooth. It appears to be mid-day. The bayside, modern adobe-style resort in the background is more exposed than in View #1. The impressionistic greenery is smaller than view #1, the palm trees are more visible. SIGNED. Read More

$1000.00

Boating and sailing on the bay. In this view #3 the blue sky is a little darker. The colors deeper. The sails have distinct panel seams. The bay-side, modern adobe-style resort is in the background. SIGNED. — Resort Bayside View #3 (ORIGINAL WATERCOLOR ART) SIGNED

Resort Bayside View #3. The colorful sails have distinct panel seams. The importance of motor boats is diminished. The bay-side, modern adobe-style Resort in the background is more visible. Overall, the colors are deeper than earlier versions. The blue sky is a little bluer. The greenery is more diversified, the palm trees have fuller fronds and fruit. SIGNED. Read More

$1000.00

This painting shows the bay-side resort from the bay. People relaxing aboard sail boats are in the foreground. — Newport Resort Bayside View #4 (ORIGINAL WATERCOLOR ART)

Resort Bayside View #4. It shows much more of the Resort from the bay. The tops of umbrellas on a terrace are visible, as are more facilities. Sail boats and motor boats fill the foreground. This painting was a finish and was used on a brochure, magazine ad and a billboard. Unsigned. Read More

$1000.00

James McMullan painting shows resort guests relaxing by a stone fireplace, enjoying drinks while the sun sets on the bay beyond the big picture window. — Resort Lobby with Fireplace (ORIGINAL WATERCOLOR ART) SIGNED

McMullan’s painting shows Resort guests having drinks while sitting by a stone fireplace in the lobby. A basket of fruit on a nearby table. From a glass wall, a view of the bay. The sun is setting. A ship crossing the bay can be spotted in the distance and beyond it a tree-covered land mass. Unsigned. Read More

$800.00

A painting of the driveway and landscaping leading up to the entrance of the Resort. The building has an adobe revival style architecture. Very classic looking. — Newport Resort Entrance (ORIGINAL WATERCOLOR ART) SIGNED.

This painting features the driveway and landscaping leading up to the entrance of the Resort. The Resort architecture is a take on classic Pueblo Revival style. The landscape achieves an “oasis effect” by the use of various palm species. It feels clean, classic, high-end. SIGNED. Read More

$1000.00

This painting features a couple dining at a table on the patio with sailing boats on the bay behind them — Resort Couple Lunching on Patio (ORIGINAL B&W WATERCOLOR ART)

Black and white painting of a couple enjoying lunch on a patio. Sail boats on the bay in the background. A yellow flower adds a slight touch of color. Published newspaper ad. Unsigned. Read More

$800.00

The image of a Spanish pueblo style cupola sided by palms trees with a calm, blue sky. The image suggests an oasis awaits you. Published. Unsigned. Read More

$800.00

Noel is a student in ballet class eagerly looking forward to their production of the Nutcracker. She dreams about being a star. She's sadly disappointed to find she's been cast as a tree. — Nutcracker Noel

The picture of Noel as the tree in the Nutcracker with snow falling and the main snow queen dancing on stage is so beautiful, you might find yourself wanting to see the whole ballet. Read More

$15.00

James McMullan was born in Tsingtao, North China, in 1934, the grandson of missionaries.As a little boy, Jim took for granted a privileged life of household servants, rickshaw rides, and picnics on the shore until World War II erupted and life changed drastically. Escape and survival became the reason for moving to many countries and cities. — Leaving China : an artist paints his World War II childhood.

Born in China, as a little boy, Jim took for granted a privileged life until World War II erupted and life changed drastically. Escape and survival became the reason for moving to many countries and cities. Read More

$20.00

Reference photographs, sketches, and alternate versions illustrate McMullan's search for the perfect visual metaphor. Well-illustrated throughout in color. — The Theater Posters of James McMullan

The Theater Posters of James McMullan is an illuminating collection of thirty-six posters from 1976 forward. Reference photographs, sketches, and alternate versions illustrate McMullan’s search for the perfect visual metaphor. Well-illustrated throughout in color. Read More

$40.00

McMullen depicts the process of arriving at an illustration, often starting with a photo in 29 different assignments, editing, changing, adding elements, ending in cover art, brochure, etc. — Revealing Illustrations: The Art of James McMullan

McMullan depicts the process of arriving at an illustration, often starting with a photo in 29 different assignments, editing, changing, adding elements, ending in cover art, brochure, etc. Read More

$50.00

Memini, a 1500 year old wizard is found by Mary. Mary and her friend Andrew enjoy and learn from Memini. The story blends fantasy with the realities of childhood. — In A Forgotten Place

Doris Orgel’s poetic tale blends magic with an extraordinary quality of reality. Mary finds a 1500 year old wizard, Memini who, in turn, guides Mary and her friend, Andrew, through some of childhood’s stages. Read More

$12.00

Poems based on lassic nursery tales but with a new spin. Definitely not for children. Satire at its best. Sometimes funny. Sometimes poignant. Illustration by McMullan – his first book. Read More

$12.00

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Book Beat 144 James McMullan

Browser Book Beat Issue 144