Arrivals and Sailings: The Making of George Wyllie

Arrivals and Sailings: The Making of George Wyllie took me on a lively, accessible, journey into the full life of a veritable (can that laddie never sit still?) polymath.In telling his story, Jan and Louise provided the very general reader (i.e. me) with a comprehensive insight into all that shaped this major figure in Scottish art.This would not have been achieved had the authors focused solely on his days as a professionally productive artist.My interest and understanding of George Wyllie’s 'muse' developed as he did over years.The fact it took some time to percolate through to significant activity was integral to his work as a mature artist. Obviously a degree of financial security helped, but perhaps some of the major things he came to achieve, such as The Straw Locomotive and the Paper Boat, might not have come from a younger, 'less certain of his art’, man.What a wacky, fun-loving yet totally serious artist. Retirement for George Wyllie was not for slippers and cutting the grass (unless to carve a question-mark on the lawn?) An inspiration to us all who could be doing more and planning to keep going!

Page upon page of fascinating insights about a brilliant artist who was way ahead of his time in terms of creative expression on a big scale.Great read as learned so much about the man...The book is clearly further enhanced by his daughter’s contributions giving the book a poignant and intimate added dimension.

Brilliant book about a brilliant artist. The writing gives a real insight into how George Wylie perceived the world. Jan Patience and Louise Wylie have worked so well together on this project and make Wylie’s work come alive to the reader. It’s a book to come back to again and again.