Welcome to Turnstyle Prints...
...a hobby turned hopeful commercial venture! I have been both car and motor racing enthusiast all of my life. After a long career, my job was made redundant in 2003 and this gave me the time to wallow more freely in my interests. In 2005, I was approached by well known motor racing artist, Andrew Kitson, who asked me whether, if he proposed me, I would accept a moderator role on the Motorsport History forum of Ten-Tenths.com and also whether I would be interested in commissioning him to undertake a painting. The first, of course, was a compliment, but the second, generated flashing £ signs! In the end, I agreed to both, and it was the second decision that has led me here.
An original painting is not something to be taken lightly, is it? It is surely only the province of the affluent! To own one, particularly by a good artist, is ‘cool’, as they say. So, what subject should I select? I’m a non-owning Aston Martin fanatic, always have been, and the Astons that have really held my attention are the fabulous, noisy and charismatic Project cars of the early 1960’s. Only 4 were built, and the one that has struck a chord the most was the first, Project 212, a car that I have watched in historic racing for many years. In 1999, Martin Brundle, whose driving I've long admired, placed 212 on pole for the Goodwood TT Revival. It seemed the decision was made for me. The painting having been started, it then occurred to me that I might be able to recoup some of my outlay, as well as sharing the image with like-minded enthusiasts by having some prints of the painting produced. Logic dictated a limited edition run of 212, and these prints became available in October 2006. However, there has been very little promotion until now. Nevertheless, quite a few have been sold.
Of course, one thing leads to another. Last year I commissioned Andrew to paint another. This time I chose driver who I had followed for many years and whose racing style had always appealed; Willie Green. In 2005, Willie had that dreadful accident at Goodwood which led to his decision to retire from racing after a career spanning 40 years. Just 2 years before, at the same track, he had scored his last outright victory and in a pretty exotic car at that; the rare Alfa Romeo TZ2; so, again, the subject picked itself. Another limited edition run of prints was produced, this time of 250, and Willie graciously signed a few. These prints were ready last summer, along with a third featuring the Cobra of Grahame Bryant who kindly agreed that I could produce some prints from a painting that he had commissioned Andrew to paint back in 1999. These 3 prints constitute the start of a series entitled ‘Historic Racing Today’, an area relatively untapped in the motor racing art world. I have another being prepared, hopefully for release sometime in the Spring, and this time it will not be of racing at Goodwood.
I am also discussing, with two other artists, the possibility of developing two new series of prints, so please watch this space. The prints that I hope to produce will be of subjects in those areas of motor racing that I am particularly enthusiastic about. Whether they have commercial appeal is a secondary consideration, but I hope that there are enough of you, who have the same enthusiasm for the subjects I choose, to enable me to continue to expand the range.
John Turner, March, 2008
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