Meet The Hobbit Artists

Meet several of the artists who worked on The Hobbit and learn more about what they’re up to, along with several other talented folks at Weta, including Greg Broadmore and the comedic antics of Daniel Falconer! [Happy Hobbit Goes to SDCC: Meet the Hobbit Artists]

Collectibles

Meet the lads! From Bridge Direct Toys to our very own Elessar and Weta’s Senior Model Maker David Tremont, learn a bit more about collecting and miniature-making… and have plenty of laughs along the way. These guys are a kick! Read David Tremont’s story of creating Barad-Dur here: http://www.wetanz.com/the-making-of-barad-dur-article-series-by-david-tremont/  [Happy Hobbit Goes to SDCC: Collectibles]

Badali Jewelry

Check out Badali’s latest Lord of the Rings/Hobbit jewelery and find out more about the stories behind each piece! [Happy Hobbit Goes to SDCC: Badali Jewelry]

The Hobbit Extended Edition

Hear a little bit about the upcoming DVD/Blu ray of The Hobbit: An Unexpected Journey, and glimpse what Comic-Con is like long after the crowds have departed! [Happy Hobbit Goes to SDCC: Extended Edition Teaser and Farewell]

Meeting Evangeline Lilly

And of course, the completion of “Hobbitception!” [Hobbitception: Meeting Evangeline Lilly]

You can join in the fun at the Happy Hobbit Facebook page!

Join Kili, Fili, and several surprise guests to learn how to camp like a Dwarf! [Happy Hobbit: Dwarven Camping Tips - Episode 21]

This artwork was created in New Zealand while the two artists were busy working on THE HOBBIT: THE DESOLATION OF SMAUG, but they took time out of their work schedules to craft something special for this fundraiser.

The story takes us back to the recent holidays, where Robin’s family had gathered for a long, pleasant Christmas meal that brought everyone together — but afterward, a small bite from an over-excited family dog would have strange and tragic consequences. Robin became infected with the Capnocytophaga bacteria, commonly found in cats and dogs but very rarely ever transmitted as an infection to a human, yet the devastation through her body ultimately caused the loss of both her legs and hands. More details on her courageous battle can be found here on the Robin’s Relief Fairy Tale Art Auction page.

Now, in an effort to bring light and hope to her medical struggle, world-famous fantasy artists such as Wendy Froud, Michael Parkes, Alan Lee & John Howe, Kinuko Craft and many others have donated EXCLUSIVE new artworks that will be offered on eBay through the month of March. All proceeds go directly to a Chase Bank account setup for Robin’s Relief Fund.

Unfortunately, eBay has been pursuing a policy of NOT ALLOWING the mention of a charity fundraiser anywhere on these auctions, and recently this amazing Lee/Howe original drawing of one of Tolkien’s elves discovering the most unlikely creature imaginable (at least in terms of Middle-earth) was taken down off the auction site and all the bids were lost! None to be restored… so now they have replaced the live auction and the artist greatly desires to bring some Ringers’ attention to it before it concludes later today. TODAY IS THE LAST DAY — the current bids are not as significant as they were before being taken down — SO PLEASE BID NOW — They are in the final hours of bidding on this item and every little bit helps.

Be sure to check out and bid on the auction here and find out more details on Robin’s brave struggle on their charity info site here.  You can also follow updates on her surgeries and recovery on her Facebook page here. Thank you so much.

You will find here links to all the events, helpful hints on what to print and what to bring with you, and a timeline. Further attendee information will be given out with your registration materials when you arrive on Sunday afternoon.

The festivities begin today with An Unexpected Art Show at Lot 613 in Downtown LA, just 10 miles south of Hollywood. Doors open at 7pm and the event will run until 1am. You can find more info Right Here including a discount coupon for entry tonight, just print it and bring it with you. And here is a sample of the artwork you will find at the Art Show.

On Saturday, the LA area Smial of the Tolkien Society, Tolkien Forever, will be hosting a Pub Moot for fans to gather. The Moot will be at The Cat n’ Fiddle Pub in Hollywood (6530 Sunset Blvd., Los Angeles, CA 90028) from 1:30pm until 5pm. Check out their Facebook event page for details.

Hobbit Oscar weekend culminates with The One Expected Party on Sunday afternoon, right here in Hollywood, just a couple blocks from the Academy Awards telecast. Here is a check list of things you will want to bring, check on, and ask us about while there is still time to do so.

• Print your tickets and bring them with you. If you do not have them, please email us ASAP at Oscarparty@theonering.net with your name and email. Doors will open at 3pm till 1am.
• Parking, we have sent out emails to everyone regarding parking, but if you did not get that message, or if you have a special need, please contact us at Oscarparty@theonering.net

                               *Lot opens at 2pm

                               *Shuttle will run until 2am and the lots will close after that

                               *You will need your printed Party Ticket to get into the lot

• There is a Dress Code for our party. It’s the basic Black Tie and Pointy Ear optional code we had for the three previous Oscar Parties. You can see the Costume FAQ for more details
• The Rivendell room at the party will be hosting a silent Auction and special Prize Drawings. The items you will be bidding on or entering for the drawing will be on display in the Rivendell room throughout the night. You may use a Credit Card for any large transaction, but if you just wish to purchase a prize drawing ticket, you will want to bring Cash with you. The TORn store will be in this same room, which is where you will find items like TORn shirts, buttons and the like.
• We have not quite sold out yet, so if you still have some friends on the fence, knock them off and bring them along. We will make an announcement if we should sell out before the start of the show on Sunday. Tickets may still be purchased online until Sunday morning, and after that, they can be purchased at the door, if it is not sold out by then. Purchase Tickets Now

And here is a little sneak peak at one of our Auction Items.

A long time friend of the site, Tim Kirk earned his Master’s Degree in Illustration from CSU Long Beach. His thesis project consisted of a serious of illustrations based on The Hobbit and The Lord of the Rings. 13 of these illustrations were later published by Ballantine Books as a calendar in 1975, the first by an illustrator other than Professor Tolkien. Tim has gone on to illustrate numerous children’s books, science fiction books, and magazines. He has won five prestigious Hugo awards and has worked as an Imagineer for Walt Disney.

Tim will be on hand to do quick sketches for anyone who brings books or calendars to be signed. He will also be offering signed and remarqued (with a sketch) prints of some of his Tolkien work for sale. As well, some of his original oil paintings in beautiful custom frames will be on display for all to admire.

Join us for ‘An Unexpected Art Show’ in Los Angeles, California on Friday, February 22, from 7 PM to 1 AM. All ages are welcome to attend. Children 12 and under get in free. A limited number of tickets are available for $15 online and $20 at the door. ‘An Unexpected Art Show’ will be held at Lot 613, a blank-canvas special events space in the Historic Arts District of Downtown Los Angeles, located at 613 Imperial Street. It’s all part of our Middle-earth Celebration weekend culminating with ‘The One Expected Party‘!

Purchase art show tickets today! –  Party tickets are also still available!

All ages are welcome to attend. Children 12 and under get in free. There is plenty of free street parking and an adjacent lot offers parking for $10. A limited number of tickets are available for $15 online and $20 at the door. Print and bring the above flyer for a $10 discount. There will be food and drinks for sale as well as a DJ set later in the evening.

Among the over 30 artists contributing work and attending in person are Tim Kirk, who illustrated the 1975 Tolkien Calendar — the first by an illustrator other than Professor Tolkien, and Jerry VanderStelt, an artist producing licensed reproductions for The Hobbit and The Lord of the Rings films. Additional artists include Donato Giancola, Stephen Hickman, and Jay Johnstone. Purchase tickets today!

It’s all part of our Middle-earth Celebration weekend culminating with ‘The One Expected Party‘ on February 24th. Party tickets are still available!

Jay Johnstone has spent many years as a professional artist, but has only recently joined the ranks of the fine artists specifically associated with the works of J.R.R. Tolkien. Inspired by the idea that The Hobbit and The Lord of the Rings had been transcribed from ancient manuscripts appealed to Jay. Using techniques from religious manuscripts, icon and fresco illustrations from the medieval period, Jay’s artwork uses a variety of mediums — oils, watercolors, acrylics, egg tempera with gold powder and leaf. Striking detail and traditional techniques give the impression of artwork that could have been produced in the real Middle-earth!

Jay has been hailed by Cor Blok and Ted Nasmith as a creative force meant to be seen years to come. He has in his supporters other well-known characters such as Ian Brodie and Christopher Paolini, and is in residence in the collections of Bernd Greisinger (Greisinger Museum, Jenins, Switzerland), Sir Richard Taylor and others, worldwide.

Join us for a night of artwork celebrating the influence of J.R.R. Tolkien in Los Angeles, California on Friday, February 22, from 7 PM to 1 AM. Children 12 and under are free! A limited number of tickets are available for $15 online and $20 at the door. ‘An Unexpected Art Show’ will be held at Lot 613, a blank-canvas special events space in the Historic Arts District of Downtown Los Angeles, located at 613 Imperial Street. Skip the line and purchase art show tickets online.

It’s all part of our Middle-earth Celebration weekend culminating with ‘The One Expected Party‘! Party tickets are still available.

Today’s spotlight turns to Hogan McLaughlin. Originally from Chicago, Illinois, Hogan began drawing at an early age. He eventually was given the opportunity to produce fashion pieces based on his highly detailed illustrations. The pieces were later featured in the windows of Barneys New York department store and on exhibit at The Museum at F.I.T. In September 2011, he released his first fashion collection to wide acclaim. Hogan has gone on to create custom pieces for Lady Gaga’s “Born This Way Ball” promotional images and garnered interest from various actresses, musicians, and models.

While fashion is happily his priority, Hogan continues to illustrate and has gained a following for his original pieces, as well as conceptualized interpretations of beloved characters created by J.R.R. Tolkien, George R.R. Martin, and many others. The work of Tolkien continues to be a driving inspiration in McLaughlin’s own work, in both art and fashion. Original illustrations by Hogan will be on display at ‘An Unexpected Art Show’.

Join us for a night of artwork celebrating the influence of J.R.R. Tolkien in Los Angeles, California on Friday, February 22, from 7 PM to 1 AM. Children 12 and under are free! A limited number of tickets are available for $15 online and $20 at the door. ‘An Unexpected Art Show’ will be held at Lot 613, a blank-canvas special events space in the Historic Arts District of Downtown Los Angeles, located at 613 Imperial Street. Purchase art show tickets online.

It’s all part of our Middle-earth Celebration weekend culminating with ‘The One Expected Party‘! Party tickets are still available.