1. Art is about stories. And sometimes,
one still image begs for another.
That’s exactly what Rich Rawlyk has done with A Whales Tale. He has
given the reader the opportunity to experience a beautiful Canadian
icon in more than one moment. Based on the story of brothers grow-
ing up in the arctic, this collection, while visually simple delves into
a profound story of transformation that parallels the experiences of
Rich himself.
A Whales Tale Walrus Magazine, July 6th 2010
2. Cover Image: From the tail of a whale.
Highlighted images are featured in this document, for the complete story visit:
http://awhalestaleillustrated.blogspot.com/
A Whales Tale Walrus Magazine, July 6th 2010
3. Beyond reach, children raced in ageless games of youth, laughing they spent the
long days summer lent them.
Children playing
Ink, 10 x 7 in
A Whales Tale Walrus Magazine, July 6th 2010
4. Far from the busy shore, in the plentiful waters of summer whales splashed, Wishy
paddled among the whales with fluid motion, watching and listening he felt a part
of their games.
Despite pressure to leave what most thought foolish, Wishy persisted each day
with renewed hope, a hope kept constant by faith that he would learn everything
he could about whales.
Among the whales
Ink, 10 x 7 in
A Whales Tale Walrus Magazine, July 6th 2010
5. We gathered when the spring arrived. Passing through the crowded lands we
journeyed back to the shore. There we remembered the sea and could see that
our future and our freedom lay in the open waters. We dove into the waters and
knew immediately that land was not where we belonged.
Beyond the hunters
Ink, 10 x 7 in
A Whales Tale Walrus Magazine, July 6th 2010
6. Rich chose to study design in art school, which offered all the comforts, stability and
rewards that would make a designer giddy and an artist miserable. Now, humbled and
looking for experiences that will scare him, inspire him and force him to reduce his ideas
to one blank canvas, Rich is finally home.
Rich’s work is relatable, insightful and can go from loose and droll to grown up serious
before the ink even has a chance to dry. But aside from what Rich’s ideas make us think
and feel and want, we like the fact that he fearlessly allows himself to play, without rules,
and without supervision. He’s always got the place to himself, and we like that too.
We like the fact that he’s been a spoke in the wheel of a mega agency. We like the fact
that he’s a bit of an over-sharer. And we like the fact that there’s an actual idea that vera-
ciously guides him through whatever little bit of Canadiana he’s narrating at that given
time. Sometimes it’s a painting. Other times it’s a lithograph. The odd time it’s just a rec-
reation of a pattern from Grandma’s sofa in 1978.
He moves slowly, assuredly, wildly. He paints. He blogs. He illustrates. And on the days
when he has no idea where he’s going – that’s when we really, really like him.
Phone: 403-852-3097
rich.rawlyk@gmail.com
A Whales Tale Rich Rawlyk 305 Patterson View S. W.. Calgary, July 6th 2010
Walrus Magazine, AB T3H 3J9
