Bob Coy Lorne Artist 

                                                'Motion of the Ocean, Breeze in the Trees'

Lorne in the late 60's early 70's compared to 2018 was a vastly different place, some cafes (the 'Arab' was the favourite), the original Erskine House and Cumberland Guest House, a theatre, a fish and chip shop, newsagent, an art gallery, chemist and the two Hotels were virtually all that filled the main street. Though the beach front (Loutitt Bay) has faced little change, the wandering, alluring Erskine River still flows, the Otway Ranges now likely filled with more homes and B&B's oversees the locals and holiday makers with dignity, the gatekeeper to the Great Ocean Road.

So in 2018 Mountjoy Parade is now filled with boutique shops, street cafes, restaurants and other retail friendly outlets with the Pacific and Lorne Hotels still the heartbeat. The Falls Music Festival brings International artists to the Lorne Coast at the turn of the each New Year adding to the attractions of what's on offer, not forgetting the world's longest ocean swimming race, the Pier to Pub.

Aireys' Lighthouse.

My brother Bob Coy (Robert Julian Coy) was 23 when he moved to Lorne in 1971. He had just sold a business he commenced in 1968 called Surf Dive 'n Ski. (his Branding Font remains the same today as it was 47 years ago). He sold the Business to move to Lorne arguably, the surfing capital of the West Coast then, likely still is. Bob was a surfer, an artist, a musician and a graphic designer. He'd been surfing the west coast since 1964.

Bob lived in Hopetoun Terrace till he past away in 1999.

Bob's oil paintings recall the beauty and wonder of the Lorne Coast with the intrigue and sun light of the inner forests that are the the Otways. At sometime in 1974 a 'minder' for Prince Charles returned to Geelong on a mission to seek out art works of the Great Ocean Road. Originally a member of Prince Charles security team when the Prince was at
Timbertop,  he discovered my brother in Lorne.

Today in Westminster Abbey his oil painting of 'Eagle on the Mount' adorns the walls at the Abbey, a stark reminder of the talent Bob possessed. For those who are visiting Lorne a walk up Mountjoy Parade to the Pacific Hotel and into the foyer you will see a mural that covers an entire wall that depicts the surf beach at Lorne. It captures the spirit of the ocean playground, illustrating all the fun and colourscape that draws so many to this beautiful coastal town.

Bob's was also a talented musician, guitar, keyboards, drums and a blues singer, his last band I recall was 'SilverHair', I still have a tape recorded in 1996.
His artwork lives in the homes of family and friends and those of the many  bought from local Galleries or were contracted for particular scenes of Oceania, Landscapes and Portraits, west coast and nation wide..

'A ol' Buick abandoned
found in the Otways'

I'm lured to a book written by Ian C.Hunt titled 'Feel the Sea Wind' where Bob's etchings of the early Guest Houses in and around Lorne are featured.

There are over twenty guest houses that existed in the early 1900's that were 'inked' by Bob, they were done at a time when an infected hand hospitalised him. They remain a wonderful capture of the elegance that existed for wealthier holiday makers back then, who travelled to Lorne in the first cars and horse drawn carriages.

So why this blog ?, why now ?.

There is a story to be told and that's my goal, I'm writing a book about my brother, a Lorne resident for twenty eight years. His artwork lives, breathes and shines inside me everyday. Its been brewing for many years and now for family, his many friends (some that I remain in contact with - love social media) it needs to be recorded and published.
                                                                                                                              Mt Warning NNSW
                                                                                                                               Bob's work 1989
I have in my possession and really only on loan, many of Bob's art pieces, memorabilia, poems, song lyrics and a story line that will enhance his legacy. In essence the folk of Lorne need to be reminded of Bob's time there with works that will live well beyond my time.

Perhaps some long term residents of Lorne will recall my brother as I do and have a story to tell, that in turn may be the part that attracts a publisher who holds the same enthusiasm as I do.

I've included Bob's oil painting of Mt Warning, done in an afternoon in summer 1989 by the Tweed River. Both of us just sat there, maybe he still visits there, I do, though his heart, soul and son were always in Lorne.

Book to come, a table top coffee book sprinkled with photos of Bob' work or something else, I'll know when I stop writing.

Bob's glow still shines.




Cheers
Charles.