Surrealists and Picture Books

So I just had a fantastic weekend with some old college friends who were visiting me from Richmond. We all went to art school and of course, number one on our list of things to do in Philly was visit the Barnes Foundation and Philadelphia Museum of Art. I wanted to see the Barnes in its original location in his mansion out in Merion before they move it to a boring, normal museum on the Ben Franklin Parkway (a few blocks from my home!) It was quite an experience. Barnes sure did have some weird taste in art, and I liked how he surrounded each painting with a Roman metal artifact that complemented its composition somehow.

The Philly Museum of Art never ceases to inspire me. Among my favorites are the surreal paintings of Tanguy, Dali, Klee, and most of all, Miro. I took home lots of ideas for new compositions,  and color.

After my friends left, I had some extra time (and an already paid-for admission) to see the Perelman Building, which houses even more art, and particularly a current exhibition on Chagall. I am a huge fan of Chagall, mainly for his whimsical compositions and cheerful subjects. Many of his paintings remind me of picture books. I'd like to incorporate some sort of floating ephemera in more of my illustrations and get a bit more playful.

I thought the easiest transition into floating people would be underwater, and I particularly love the sea ephemera in Tanguy's Black Storm painting, above (which I saw today). Here's what I came up with, which I think is still heavily true to my style, but perhaps not experimental enough. I did it all in Photoshop.

I'd like to find some illustrators who are influenced by surrealists and see how they incorporate it into their narratives. I feel like the two forms of art (surrealism and picture book illustration) are mutually exclusive--one being dreamlike and illogical, devoid of any narrative, and the other being completely narrative and logical enough to communicate information unquestionably.  If anyone knows of any surrealist illustrators, please send them my way!

Petey Possum's Hangout Grand Opening Reading/Signing!

I'd like to announce that Lizzie Fox-Top and Cousin Ann's Stories for Children are now available, signed, at the brand-new children's bookstore Petey Possum's Hangout in Oxford, PA!

I was honored and delighted to be invited to do a celebratory reading and signing at their Grand Opening last Friday, June 3.  And let me tell you, what a wonderful store.  It is owned and run by the most charming family, who have stocked it with a great range of picture books, middle grade fiction, and even some fun knick-knacks and toys for summer! I was particularly impressed with their selection of modern, creative, and beautiful picture books and inclusion of not only English, but Spanish picture books as well (Oxford has a high Hispanic population). I hope I can go visit this bookstore again soon! Pictures will be posted when I get them.

On another note, I was also invited to speak at my high school's Career Day last Wednesday. I discussed with eleventh graders what it is like to be an art teacher and picture book writer/illustrator. I had several aspiring artists and designers in my audience, even one student who is thinking of going to my college alma mater, VCU! It was also great to see all my old teachers. While a lot of people hated high school, I'll always value the time I spent there. I have many happy memories of being a band nerd, hanging out in the art room, and getting into trouble all over the place (that's pretty easy in a conservative Catholic school!)