I am very excited to announce the launch of Picture Book Report, fifteen illustrators creating a new scene from their favourite books every month. The project was created and is organized by Meg Hunt who kicks things off with Alice’s Adventures in Wonderland.
Each artist will show off a title/bookplate for their chosen books, and then every month you’ll be treated to an illustration from each of them. The impressive lineup includes Andrea Kalfas, Daniel Krall, Israel Sanchez, Jeremy Sorese, Julia Sonmi Heglund, Kali Ciesemier, Laura Park, Lizzy Stewart, Meg Hunt, Phil McAndrew, PMurphy, S.britt, Sam Bosma, Will Bryant, and myself.
For a peek into what to expect, Sam has been posting some concept drawings for his take on a certain short, hairy-footed, ring-toting hill-dweller.
Several years ago, animation historian John Canemaker wrote an exhaustive and very informative two-part article on the life and career of John Parr Miller, aka J. P. Miller for the ASIFA magazine, “Cartoons”. I’ve had the great pleasure of owning the two issues that featured this article and for a long time had the notion of sharing it somehow with others. Well, no need to now. NY animator Michael Sporn beat me to it and now you guys can see both parts of the article on his blog:
There’s some wonderful early work of Miller’s that Canemaker was able to show us, including this portrait of Mary Blair, whom J.P. traveled with (along with other artists) to South America during Disney’s “Good Neighbor” Tour of 1941.
I saw this concept art by mid-century animation designer Mary Blair on the wall at Illustration House the other day, and I was blown away by its jewel-like beauty. The colours really are as lovely as the jpg shows. According to the catalogue (you have to click through a few pages to find the full list), it was made for Disney’s 1948 Melody Time. The estimate is only about $2000, which is pretty low for original art by a very well known and loved artist, in my opinion. Oh and there’s a second one being offered too – but I’ll leave that for you to find on your own!
Gyo Fujikawa
I am also enamoured of this cute little illustration by Gyo Fujikawa. “Who?” you may ask? Fujikawa was another female illustrator working at approximately the same time as Mary Blair. She too worked for Disney, before turning to freelance and making children’s books. This image here is from her 1957 Child’s Garden of Verses. Fujikawa came to my attention recently because she appears to be the first woman illustrator to actively take part in the administration and volunteer activities of the Society of Illustrators, circa 1951, which is doubly impressive given her Japanese American background and it being right after the War.
Disclaimer: I hang out a lot at Illustration House. Yes, this is a shameless plug of sorts. But the artwork’s worth it.
Have you ever heard of Evaline Ness? She was an illustrator of many children’s books during the mid-20th century period. At a time when most illustration was still being done in a style of literal realism, Ness was among that group of stylistic pioneers whose work still influences the look of illustration today.
She also has the unusual distinction of having been married for a time to the famous FBI agent, Elliot Ness.
The Bloombury Auction House in New York has an upcoming auction featuring a collection of children’s books signed by Evaline Ness, her Caldecott medal for Sam, Bangs and Moonshine and some never before seen sketchbooks and dummies all of which come from her family collection.
The sale will take place at Bloomsbury Auctions New York on Wednesday, December 9th, but those who won’t be able to attend can view nearly a dozen pieces from the Ness collection in my Evaline Ness Flickr set.
Children’s book illustrator extraordinaire Dan Santat was inspired by old 1960’s Japanese monster movie posters and vintage sci-fi magazine covers when he created the cover for his soon-to-be-released book OH NO! (Or, How My Science Project Ruined the World). Dan talks about the cover (which turns into an actual movie poster if you take the jacket off and turn it over!) in depth on his blog. A very fascinating read for a very fascinating cover. Here’s a spread from the book. Looks great. Dan says:
The intent was to make the artwork resemble an old Japanese 1960’s science fiction movie so I added dust, and film scratches with an aged feel around the edges. I had originally proposed to have Japanese subtitles underneath the text but that was shot down.
Click image above to view larger.
I love how he drew himself and the writer, Mac Barnett as people in the crowd, running away. Dan, with the evil professor eye patch, of course.
Dan Bob Thompson is selling handmade editions of his children’s book Roofus the Canine Cannonball. It’s an incredibly fun little book with expressive illustrations, and lovely textures, and I was happy to order mine and support Dan’s work. You can also view the story in its entirety on his website.
Please forgive the shameless book promotion, but I thought I would just mention that if you’re in Toronto tomorrow (September 12th), and you’re not spending the whole day at the Film Festival, then why not pop by 22 Yorkville Ave, at the Yorkville Public Library, and join me in celebrating the launch of my picture book, The Pirate and the Penguin, published by Owlkids Books. The launch takes place from 2-5pm, there will be munchies, cake and cookies, and my husband will be dressed up like one heck of a wicked pirate. Not to be missed!
