James Morton has written in:
I have often wondered how many wrestlers were also artists or sculptors . Paul Lincoln gave me this drawing of and by himself but I’m not sure it counts as high art. Peter Rann I know did cartoons. Sam Rabin and, of course, George Gordienko but who else ?
Mark Lewin's younger brother Ted, painted and wrestled from an early age and after a much shorter career than his two big brothers, on the mat, turned successfully to illustrating children's books. His own book, was a nice read too.
2nd. Picture Ted's own self portrait.
In the 1930's Sam Rabin and Pat O'Connor were both artists. Rabin maybe even more famous as a sculptor.
Answering Anglo. It was in fact a very old Dr Death which he did for me after we had been reminiscing one afternoon about his early days in England.
In reminding me/us of Peter Preston's affinity with Georges Gordienko, I wonder whether Hack has, inadvertently of course☺, in some way solved the parallel thread and my investigation as to how Peter very surprisingly popped back up on Dale Martin bills in 1970.
In this respect, this bill catches my eye big time:
Could it be that GG had a say in bringing PP back? Did GG want him as a travelling companion, or did he simply insist? Only a few PP appearances have been found these last few days, thanks Ron and Main Mask, and these also end abruptly as soon as Gordeienko departs.
By extension, what was McManus's rapport with Gordienko? Could we imagine that Mick was on holiday and while he was away someone else, Marino (?), on the same above bill, made the bookings? Mick then came back, outraged, and said No More, which Gordienko couldn't stomach so he upped and left. Pure speculation, but it holds a certain logic.
Now and then seemingly unconnected parallel topics end up linking and I love it when they do.
Joe D'Orazio and his painting of Big Bruno
Derek Standing (The Talio Kid) was a talented water colourist and I remember seeing samples of his work at Gerry Hoggarth's bungalow.
Gerry also used to mention John "Bomber" Bates (The Ghoul) being a talented sketch artist.
Peter Preston was a prolific artist, his bungalow was full of them. He was encouraged to take up painting by George Gordienko. George was one of his best friends in the wrestling fraternity and a man who greatly influenced him both professionally and personally, he said that the Canadian was able to teach him a great deal about timing and breathing techniques. Peter often stayed with George at his home in Mitcham, where his passion for painting rubbed off on Peter and he too began to paint for recreation. Here's one of his
Roger Green was another, and I think he did have at least one public exhibition. Here are a couple of his
Lord Bertie Sinclair is a sculptor
Adrian Street was an artist, as was big George Gordienko (as already mentioned).
Errr....the obvious questio to my mind has to be to ask James if he can share with us the (extraordinary?) circumstances that would have led to an early Dr Death sharing a self-portrait with you?
Jerry Lawler was quite prolific in the States. Wayne Bridges told me that he had a couple of Gordienko's work.
Bret Hart is a talented artist, you can find some of his work online.