16 of 16 people found the following review helpful:
5.0 out of 5 stars
More stars, please!, August 25, 2009
Sometimes a really creative artist has vision beyond himself and philantropic urges to propel him. "Artist to Artist: 23 Major Illustrators Talk to Children About Their Art" is just one product of the merger of these three qualities in Eric Carle, children's book writer and illustrator.
But wait, there's more. He and his wife developed and built a museum called the Eric Carle Museum of Picture Book Art in Boston. Here the art of the picture book from around the world is celebrated. From the website comes this statement about fulfillment of the mission--"...by collecting, presenting and celebrating the art of the picture book from around the world and by providing interactive experiences and programs that are engaging and educational." One area Carle most values in the museum is the art studio where visitors (activity geared toward children) can actually create a "masterpiece." If you adore picture book illustrations (as I do), then visit the website for its treasures.
A second enterprise that sprang from the concept of "Artist to Artist" is the degree program with Simmons College, also in Boston. A student could earn a master's degree in Children's Literature or a joint art/literature/writing degree. For teachers and other professionals, an every-other-summer program focuses on picture book art. Visit the website for more information.
The proceeds from this book go directly to the museum. Even if there were not a museum, this book alone is a treasure in itself! Because Carle's desire--with talent behind it--to create art began in childhood, he conceived the idea of an anthology of picture book art dedicated to children who also discover the talent and desire to create art. He cites his mentors and tells children that they can think of this book as their mentors.
The 23 artists whose work comprises the pages of this book are certainly inspiring and exemplary. The layout for the pages of the first artist of the 23 is like the layout of the last one and all the ones in-between: A one-page letter to the reader/child--including a childhood picture of the artist, two pages of art, including a photograph of the artist's studio, and a self-portrait.
The first artist included in the book is Mitsumasa Anno (with whom I just recently became familiar) and the last is the collaborative team of Robert Sabuda and Matthew Reinhart --the others in between are arranged alphabetically. I don't know why Sabuda and Reinhart are the last ones unless it is because they are pop-up artists. Perhaps they are placed last because their art is so different. I'm just guessing.
Here are statements from some of the 23 artists about their childhood dreams:
Mitsumasa Anno: "I believe that the culture that is part of your being from childhood is of great importance."
Eric Carle: "But I also try to keep an open mind, to listen to my intuition and allow for the unexpected, the coincidental, even the quirky to enter into my work."
Tomie dePaola: "I am just as happy as a lark that I am an Artist....But it is hard work....You have to practice, practice, practice--and don't copy."
Steven Kellogg: "One of the most fascinating things to me about drawing was the fact that I could create stories with my pictures."
Maurice Sendak: "As an aspring young artist, you should strive for originality of vision. No story is worth the writing, no picture worth the making, if it is not a work of the imagination."
Rosemary Wells: "Few people in this world can truly say they love their jobs and the meaning of their work. If you stay true to yourself and practice, practice, practice, you will have a life where you love what you do."
Oh so inspiring, so full of worthy quotes and childhoods rife with possibilities--the artists in this book, their lives and their work, make "Artist to Artist" a must-have book for teachers and parents, especially if you have an aspiring artist in your child--and definitely one or two for the school library!
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