A Long Time Ago...
Here at Print Art we love Star Wars!!..Can you tell? …so we thought we’d share something about the creativity behind it…by the way did you find all of us above in the galaxy far far away…?
Meet Ralph McQuarrie…from his concept drawings of Darth Vader, C-3PO and R2-D2 to his illustrations of a desert landscape that would become Tatooine, he translated George Lucas’ fantastical descriptions into visuals, designing a whole new galaxy. Lucas in the forward to the book Star Wars Art: Ralph McQuarrie said that after meeting McQuarrie and seeing his work, he never considered another artist for the job…and to quote Wade Lageose, one of the co authors of the book “I truly believe that if there wasn’t Ralph, just like if there was no George, you wouldn’t have Star Wars. It might not be something entirely different, but it wouldn’t be what we know as Star Wars today.”
Ralph McQuarri was 45 when he began working with Lucas on “The Star Wars,” which was in pre-production. He and the filmmaker met in the early ’70s through Lucas’ friends who were putting together another sci-fi movie, one that never got made. McQuarrie had done a few illustrations for them. When Lucas saw his work, he knew McQuarrie was “the one,”
McQuarrie’s concept paintings were instrumental in helping Lucas to win approval from 20th Century Fox, armed with vivid illustrations of his planned movie, Lucas was able to convince Fox executives to take a gamble and fund his Star Wars project. Despite their skepticism, it became a huge success upon release in 1977. During filming, Lucas ensured that many shots reproduced McQuarrie’s paintings exactly, such was his esteem for McQuarrie’s work.
McQuarrie who died in 2012 ( May the Spires keep you!) mentioned in his later years, that he was content with his role in the Star Wars universe.
“I’m quite happy standing with what I’ve done for Star Wars ‘I was an artist who created something that was widely seen, and enjoyed,'” he said. “If I had to do it over again I’d do it for nothing. Just to be a part of it, you know.”
Grogu- Behind The Scenes
Din Grogu, colloquially referred to as Baby Yoda, is a character from the Star Wars Disney+ original television series The Mandalorian and The Book of Boba Fett. He is a toddler member of the same species as the Star Wars characters Yoda and Yaddle, with whom he shares a strong ability in the Force..and he is soon to head to the Big Screen
Directed by Jon Favreau, The Mandalorian and Grogu is currently in production. “I have loved telling stories set in the rich world that George Lucas created,” said Favreau. “The prospect of bringing the Mandalorian and his apprentice Grogu to the big screen is extremely exciting.”
“Jon Favreau and Dave Filoni have ushered into Star Wars two new and beloved characters, and this new story is a perfect fit for the big screen,” added Kathleen Kennedy, president of Lucasfilm.
The Mandalorian and Grogu is scheduled to be released in the United States on May 22, 2026.
Here we go behind the scenes….
Do Or Do Not..There Is No Try..
Print Art Team posing with Pete Wood’s “Yoda”
And as Yoda says… You must feel the Force around you; here, between you, me, the tree, the rock, everywhere, yes. Even between the land and the ship.
So… May You Live Long And Prosper!!
and this Sunday ..The 4th May..All of us here at Print Art say…
May The Force Be With You!
Past, Future ... And Now!
This mesmerising installation invites audiences to reflect on ancient stories beneath the surface of the ocean, animated by light, movement and memory.
Celebrated, octopus-styled artwork Te Wheke-a-Muturangi by acclaimed artist Lisa Reihana floats on Auckland’s waters through to 14 May as part of the Aotearoa Art Fair Sculpture Trail.
A revered artist whose work has been shown globally, from the Venice Biennale to major presentations in Australia and Singapore, Reihana’s Te Wheke-a-Muturangi anchors the art trail with powerful storytelling drawn from Māori cosmology. The majestic 15-metre-wide floating cephalopod draws from the powerful Māori pūrākau / story of the giant female octopus Te-Wheke-a-Muturangi, who is pursued across the Pacific and ultimately slain by the legendary Polynesian navigator, Kupe. The artwork is hand-painted by Reihana in maze-like lines inspired by Reihana’s contemporary Māori weaving patterns, with vivid reds symbolising the blood spilled when the creature was defeated.
Alongside Lisa Reihana’s installation, eight other large-scale works by leading contemporary artists from across Aotearoa will be on display for the Aotearoa Art Fair Sculpture Trail, placed throughout the Viaduct Harbour.
Art Fair - On This Weekend!
On this weekend…Aotearoa Art Fair, New Zealand’s premier art fair, returns to Auckland’s Viaduct Events Centre, from 1 – 4 May 2025.
The 2025 Fair will be the largest, most internationally diverse yet, showcasing 44 galleries from 11 regions. This milestone show will feature over 150 local and international artists.
Fri 2 May, 11am – 6pm| Sat 3 May, 11am – 6pm | Sun 4 May, 11am – 5pm
Viaduct Events Centre | 171 Halsey Street | Wynyard Quarter | Auckland
Tickets $30