See my new interview with VSB London - purveyors of fine cigar cases - like the one featured in the painting, The Man with the Golden Gun:
https://www.vsblondon.com/blogs/articles/cigars-spies-and-vsb-paintings
"Gerry's work breathes new life into the experience of enjoying the Bond novels, either by bringing out elements you might have missed or by reminding you of the amazing details that Fleming imbued his writing with."
- literary007.com
“I love the new Goldfinger painting you've done. I think it's one of your best and picks up on all the attributes I so love about your literary Bond art. It's a brilliant evocation of those key elements in the story, without restoring to the clumsy overt stuff that many other artists do when painting or drawing Bond. The composition is excellent and I love the use of colours. The new paints and the further development of your technique are evident. Bravo!”
Charles B. - Australia
“Wadsworth’s Bond art just goes from strength to strength. Nobody has ever mined an author’s work for inspiration in quite this way. Many have illustrated scenes from the books but this is something quite different. Here Wadsworth goes to the soul of Fleming’s works to create real art that completely embodies the character of each story by using elements that are instantly recognisable to the 007 aficionado. The works are beautifully painted in phenomenal detail and in colours that heighten the senses in the most marvellous manner. They explode from the canvas in the way that Fleming’s words leap from the page. What’s more, his painting has just got technically better as the series has progressed and his newest, ‘Octopussy’ is absolutely one of the best. The originals belong in ‘The Tate’ but I will certainly be adding a print to the collection in my study. Bravo to Gerry Wadsworth for this extraordinary artistic achievement and bravo to literary007.com for bringing it to my attention.”
“Wadsworth's work is not 'fan' art. He has dug deep into Fleming's soul for inspiration and has beautifully captured the true nature of his Bond novels. Looking at his work is like reading one of 007's adventures in a glance. In my study I have 'Moonraker', 'Hildebrand Rarity', 'Casino Royale' and 'Official Secrets' adorning the walls and they fascinate me just as the novels did and do. We are so lucky that an artist of Wadsworth's calibre elected to devote himself to the literary Bond world.
David C. - Surrey, UK
“I'm continually amazed by Gerry Wadsworth's painterly skills and his beautiful compositions for James Bond and other subjects. What is remarkable is how fine art collectors enjoy his works, even without knowing the many hidden Bond references. Gerry's work is stunning and should be displayed in every home and office.”
Matt S. - USA
“As you can see on this site, Gerry is a die-hard Bond fan of the films and novels, and certainly has the aptitude for greatness. With talent and fandom such as this, I can't fathom how Eon hasn't commissioned him for official artwork. I had the pleasure of spending a weekend with Gerry and his wife in Jacksonville, and can attest that he is the genuine article. Aside from an unending discussion on Bond, the conversations went across the universe and back again. I am happy to call him a friend and always look forward to his next masterpiece.”
Carlos P. - Jacksonville, FL
“Gerry's vision and talent are second to none. He masterfully paints the smallest details, many of which only a true Bond aficionado of both books and film could discern. Even if you're not a huge Bond fan, you'll be a fan of Gerry's work. I proudly display my two favorite pieces of Gerry's Bond art in my home and all our visitors are in awe of his masterpieces.“
Dexter I. - Washington DC
“And now for something completely different: I thought I would share my personal interpretation on the composition and subject matter of the Moonraker painting. I am a big fan and proponent of all your James Bond works, but I think what draws me so much to this piece (and I wonder if other admirers feel the same) is that it places the James Bond character amongst the quotidian aspects of his life - those crucial little details of taste and preference as good as a signature or thumb-print that Fleming took such pains to describe. Your Moonraker painting is a tableau without seeming like a tableau. The absence of any weaponry or souvenirs is another interesting part of this picture - there are no overt mission mementos - the newspaper becomes like a shibboleth key for the cognoscenti! And finally, it puts the viewer in the place of Bond, enjoying his toast and jam from his kitchen chair. It captures the well-earned respite after a difficult trial, which only the newspaper alludes to. Really great stuff!
I think many of your most successful pictures utilise some or all of these elements. Your newest work, ‘On Her Majesty's Secret Service' is similar in that regard.
I do like how you can easily take different approaches, too. For example, some of your other works are artful still-life arrangements of artifacts that reflect a particular mission, or just a full and adventurous life well-lived. Their joy to the viewer lies in being like a puzzle where you try to identify and pick out all the story beats being referenced. The triptych containing 'A Deadly Career' is a great example. Some of these ones also evoke the old school thriller paperback covers that I love so much. 'Diamonds Are Forever - The Trouble with Tiffany' and 'Trigger Mortis' evoke that response in me.
But your Moonraker breakfast painting has an intellectual component that really grabs me. It's what's not there, what's not said in Bond's breakfast newspaper that is the real story. ‘Dr. No - Suggest You Change Your Grocer' does that too.”
Charles B. - Australia