treasures.
July 9, 2008
We have so much land excitement and home repairs going on that it’s been a little hard to focus. We’re sorta tackling everything at once during this short, no-snow part of the year. But soon, we’ll have a beautiful little pond (orange fishies and waterfall included) and an inspiring ‘outdoor livingroom’! Yeah!
I thought I’d share some treasures that are inspiring me lately with my illustrations and my new kid’s book…yes, more kid art, of course. Kids are my best teachers. They remind me of things I’ve forgotten.
This drawing by comic artist Charles Burns at age 5 (in 1961) pretty much blows my mind. I don’t know about you, but I wasn’t drawing like this at age 5! What an amazing attention to detail. I love how he drew each fisherman (front, profile, even from behind!), the silly gestures, and what everyone is saying. I love the thousand things that are going on in the drawing. So much activity and energy. I particularly like the fishing poles+lines all reaching for the pond and that mooing cow. And it looks like he drew in a woman in the upper right which he decided to erase. Ha! Must have been a boys-only fishing hole. This was in an exhibition called VERY EARLY PICTURES in 2005 at Arcadia University. (Thanks for sharing, Beth!)
And this is a child’s painting acquired by Paul Klee. It is printed in one of my favorite books, The Innocent Eye. What to say–it’s beautiful, honest, and sensitive. No second-guessing. Just free and confident.
I’ve been thinking a lot about my new book and what I’d like to do in the illustrations. I started a sketchbook for exploring only this–playing with compositions, characters, collecting inspiration and references, and to continue playing with the words/story. I want to stay really free with it and let it grow even more from the dummy I proposed to my publisher. Also, it will be a nice way to share my process later. I’ve been working out this book in my head for about 5 years now and am excited to finally see it come to life. It’s due at the end of the year, so off I go…
What sort of things are inspiring/influencing your art lately? And feel free to send me any links or images of kid art you love!
7 Responses to “treasures.”
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July 9th, 2008 at 3:11 pm
I love this post Jenny, for a few reasons. One is that I’ve been thinking a lot about how to adjust my process and loosen up a bit because I’m feeling a bit stale. So just looking at art that feels free and washy and natural helps. Another reason is that I love kid art and Paul Klee…I’ll definitely have to check out that book. I’ve also had “Dreaming Pictures: Paul Klee” on my wish list for quite some time.
I’ll be posting some of my newest book inspirations on my blog…I just picked them up in NY at Kinokuniya, a Japanese bookstore. Thanks for YOUR inspirations!
July 9th, 2008 at 4:44 pm
Wow that 5 yr old guy is awesome. Really it is such a detailed art and so carefully made that it is hard ot believe it’s a kid’s work. I loved that ‘oops my hat!’ one-so expressive.
Nwyas thnx for sharin.
And something offtopic but useful. esp for people who work in computers like you.
This is what i read today in Reader’s digest:
2 MINUTE COMPUTER BREAK
For every 15 minutes of screen time, turn away and stare into the distance to prevent eyestrain, which can lead to irritated eyes, headaches, and low productivity.
yah just so simple!! I dun know if it works.
But it seems you are having time away from computer with all the creative work going on in the garden!! I would love to see it.
love
July 10th, 2008 at 8:33 am
That’s a drawing done at 5???!!!?? I don’t even draw like that now! Very impressive. And Paul Klee – also impressive. I didn’t really get into art until college. I am a late bloomer, I guess.
July 10th, 2008 at 9:14 pm
These are great. Can’t wait to see what is up with your new book! The students at the illustration academy are into your stuff, you are still resonating from last year Talk to you soon.
July 12th, 2008 at 8:03 pm
this is kid’s art? heavens! as you pointed out, kids certainly have a lot to teach adults. the sincerity in both the works is so strong.
you MUST show picts of your outdoor living room as soon as it is done. sounds divine.
am terribly curious about this book that you’ve been working on. if you’ve let it incubate for five years i’m sure the end result will be very good. please lets have a glimpse of the process…
and thanks for the link to Beth. some very interesting work to see there.
waiting for your next post, as always.
July 13th, 2008 at 6:16 am
hey–great comments! can’t wait to check out the paul klee dreaming book and see your latest inspiration, bestsy! there’s another book called Writers Dreaming that I’ve been wanting to explore.
and yes–Surya–looking away and focusing on something else is critical while on the computer–HANDSTANDS are great too!!! reverse the blood flow! …and Doug–i can’t wait to hear all about the academy!
July 14th, 2008 at 1:42 pm
Klee is one of my all time favorites, in fact, I was drawn to his work as young as 8 or 9, I remember. Another book I’ll try to find a link on for you is a collection of poems and art from children who were sent to a particular concentrtion camp where there was this art activity area. The book is haunting, but beautful…”I never saw another butterfly”…xo