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Monday, October 29, 2012

Where The Wild Things Are


Chickabee 12 X 12 collage and mixed media on canvas for Take a Word and Collage Obsession

“I think it is unnatural to think that there is such a thing as a blue-sky, white-clouded happy childhood for anybody. Childhood is a very, very tricky business"
Maurice Sendak

One of my earliest dreams was to write and illustrate children's books, and the small paintings I've been working on for my new series remind me of how much "scope for the imagination," in the words of Anne or, to be more accurate,  L. M. Montgomery, children's stories provide.  Have a bad morning? Stand at the window and pretend that the raindrops parading down the street are a marching band.  Lonely? Imagine a kindred spirit who lives in the garden under a bush. Don't like the weather?  Dream up some sunshine and green clouds!

Maurice Sendak is one of my favorite illustrators and Jan Brett and Tasha Tudor and Jessie Wilcox Smith and John R. Neil.  I spent countless naptimes poring over the gorgeously illustrated books, like Swiss Family Robinson and Ozma of Oz and Tales From the Arabian Knights. And then, later at night, in the dark, I conjured up my own stories and characters in brilliant technicolor detail.

Three years ago my sister, Lee Ann, wrote a story for me to illustrate. I had just started painting, and I wanted to develop my skill and my own style, to try to do justice to Lee Ann's beautiful words. So,  I've been working on it, and I think I'm getting there.  In the words of my students, I'm feeling it or starting to anyway.  Meanwhile.... I can always dream.



13 comments:

Jayne said...

hihi
It`s a very fantasy Bird i like him
l.g Anna

Liz said...

What a lovely quirky creation, such fun

Kim Mailhot said...

Love this so much.

Linda Gibbons said...

I love your paintings, Kathy, and this one ie so cute!

Lori Saul said...

What a magical inspiration- love your imagination and colors Kathy!

Tiffany said...

So whimsical & pretty!
(How exciting to be illustrating your sister's book! )

peggy gatto said...

I love the whimsy style and originality!!!
Such fun!

Sim said...

What a beauty indeed!

Lisa Graham said...

Sensationally fun!

bluegiraffe (Sherry) said...

Adorable! And dressed in orange for Halloween!

Deann said...

This is darling the first thing I thought when I saw it was "my goodness she should illustrate children s books" I'm so glad you are pursuing that goal good luck to you!

Electra said...

She is positively beautiful. And I love the vivid colour.

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