How did I not know about E.J. Detmold? He did rich watercolor illustrations in the early 1900′s for Fabre’s Book of Insects, an Aesops’s Fables, Birds and Beasts, Maurice Maeterlinck’s The Life of the Bee. They are so strange and lovely. I wonder how much the watercolors of Walton Ford are influenced by Edward Julius Detmold?
Piles of things I painted while at the Hermitage Artist Retreat in Florida. There’s something about this jumble of stuff that is ringing a little bell, but I am not sure what will happen next with these pieces…
I am at the Hermitage Artist Retreat in Manasota Keys in Florida. It is a wonderful space, great people, nice studios and living quarters. I am drinking it all in–what a blessing to be here.
The sunsets here are so gorgeous I am starting to understand wanting to paint them–the light is like Turner light–it permeates every particle of air, so one is drinking in the golds and pinks. If you painted these–I think it might seem as if you had elaborated a bit on the truth.
Of course the finest artists at work here on the beach are the baby turtles. They leave these incredibly expressive marks–you can read joy in the tracks, and haste, confusion sometimes, determination–but that might be attributing human characteristics to them…
How is it possible that I have gone through life without being aware of Charles Harper? He illustrated a book I loved as a child, a biology book, and may have had a Memory Game that had his images on it, but last week, Kari Love was referring to her Charles Harper Appointment Book and I was captivated. Fantastic drawing, quirky, cheerful imagery, and an obvious love for and understanding of biology. I am so happy to have found him!
The annual Book Expo is beginning today at the Javits Center. Wonderful things there–inspiring. Bring your sketchbook and check out the art books, the graphic novels, DIY, and swing by Boyds Mills Press and look at a copy of Inkblot!
Check out www.theinkblotbook.com for information about my new book for ages 10 and up–inkblots, ink-blowing, inkblot sketchbooks–lots of things to make and do.