Of course, it's not just print

Print might or might not have an 'inferior' tag - though I'm not really sure how many people take much notice - but so, by all accounts, does illustration.  Is it that illustrators in the main have a master or masters?  Is it that they have sold their souls to commercial enterprise?  Is it true that they're considered second rate in some way?  Does anyone really care?  I mentioned to an artist once that I didn't understand that they were so very different, fine art and illustration.  He gave me a look and said "They just are".  Ok.

I only mention it because another of my regular stopping-off points in Bath is the delightful Rostra Gallery (previously Rostra and Rooksmoor) and their current exhibition is of works by Graham Carter - one-time (or, more probably, still an) illustrator, whose style remains definitely illustrative.  Son and I thought it was all great - though my own snobberies showed through when I reached some works and thought, in disappointed mind-tones: oh, gicleé, what a shame. 

Above is a small selection of Graham Carter's work, but there were shiny metal pieces and sculptural pieces and all sorts.  Some of the drawings in particular reminded me strongly of a very favourite illustrator, Shaun Tan. 

I like Rostra Gallery a lot, at least partly because it shows an enormous number of prints (that would be original prints, natch.  Or as some call them - ha! aren't words fun? - fine art prints) and plenty of craft (oh dear - another loaded word), much of which I would have no problem taking home with me, if I didn't (sometimes) remember how full the house is.  Need more walls.