Okay, so I never got around to taking a nap, but since I am not above going to bed at 8pm, I feel “caught up”. Fueled by Starbucks, I managed to slog through yesterday’s routine.The high point was the UPS man delivering the book pictured above. Fact: I am obsessed with picture books. Always have been, and it’s kind of sad to me that my son is now “past” the picture book age, because that was a great justification for buying lots and lots. Each illustrator in Artist to Artist speaks about his/her art, how he/she got started, and some early artwork is showcased (loved the 500 pound robin colored by a 6-year-old Wendell Minor!), along with a self-portrait. The text is directed at children, but as someone who continually wishes that she could draw better, I found it inspiring, too. Some of my favorite picture book illustrators are featured (Jane Dyer, Tomie DePaola, Mitsumasa Anno), but I think I’ll be adding to the list of favorites as I delve further into the book.
All proceeds from the sale of Artist to Artist benefit the Eric Carle Museum of Picture Book Art. A road trip to Amherst, MA is going on my “things to do list” immediately. As well as a little online research on Allen Say, whose art is currently on exhibit. Oh, my. A quick scan of his books at Amazon tells me that I have a new obsession ….