Something is stirring in the garden, ready to be reborn.

In 1984, UK-born Martin Springett—an accomplished musician and illustrator who had produced comics for the legendary Heavy Metal magazine and designed and illustrated record covers for Columbia—was commissioned to illustrate the cover of The Summer Tree by Guy Gavriel Kay, the first novel of the acclaimed Fionavar Tapestry Trilogy. A classic of fantasy literature, the trilogy is beloved worldwide, and it launched Springett to international fantasy illustration fame.

In 1983, Springett is living in Toronto and releases his own album: The Gardening Club. A musically rich and diverse album, The Gardening Club combined King Crimson-like complexity, Canterbury scene-infused whimsy, and a strong pop sensibility, but in the shadow of new wave it was the right album, at the wrong time.

In 2016, The Gardening Club will be revitalized with a trilogy of releases: a deluxe repackaged version of the original LP, an EP filled with previously unreleased songs and a brand new companion graphic novel filled with Springett’s signature lush, oneiric imagery, wonderful wordplay and decidedly English brand of the fantastic.

COMING FROM SPACE WRECK SPRING 2016 

A Series of Work in Progress Posts Straight from the Mind of Martin Springett

Various transitions going on here from the Gardening Club, nothing finished as yet, still hooking the threads together.

“Transition from original scribble in my Gardening sketch book to a possible layout. I always keep the first idea in front of me as I work out the details, there is always a rough magic in the initial idea that is important to hang on to.” — Martin

“Improvised layout in pen from the Gardening sketch book. This is what I will base my finished work on, I have the right transition here.” — Martin

A Series of Work in Progress Posts Straight from the Mind of Martin Springett

WHO IS THE GARDENER?

I find I do not seek. From The Gardening Club sketchbook.

A Series of Work in Progress Posts Straight from the Mind of Martin Springett

WHO IS THE GARDENER? From The Gardening Club, or What’s For Tea? A work in progress.

Coming Spring 2016 from Space Wreck!

A Series of Work in Progress Posts Straight from the Mind of Martin Springett

THE GARDENING CLUB. Lady Emily Sterling communicates with a Medidula OctoSong in her Gnarly Garden, Glimmerland. Just the tip of the Gardening iceberg, as it were! Created with a Staedtler 2B pencil on Stonehenge paper, for those who are interested in such arcane and strange knowledge.