Little Bear- Maurice Sendak RIP

Maurice Sendak  1928- May 2012  

Maurice Sendak is best known for “Where the Wild Things Are” but his illustrations for the Little Bear Series will always have a special place in my heart.  I remember reading these endearing books as a child but Little Bear became an integral part of life with the animated children’s television series. It was one of my son’s favorite program’s and I miss it running continuously in the background- what soothing sweetness and light it evoked.

Rest in peace, Maurice and when you see Kevvy, know you are with one of your biggest fans. J

 

(Kevvy and Emily a few years back with Little Bear playing)

You will be missed..

Grim Colberty Tales with Maurice Sendak

LOL!

You have to watch this hilarious video. We have to be able to laugh at ourselves at some point or another and this is just funny!

Have a look! :o)

Making Mischief - a Maurice Sendak Appreciation

I spied the coolest book in the bookstore the other day... A big book all about Maurice Sendak and his art. It is a beautiful book!

This picture is from probably my own personal favorite Sendak book, In The Night Kitchen. I love the Laurel & Hardy bakers. I always found them so creepy/cool but entrancing! I'm still entranced. This book makes an impact, a lasting one. That is success right there.

Lovely pencil drawings. I'm such a fan of pencil. Sometimes I enjoy it over a final, finished work of art. It just has that immediacy, the gesture. The moment. It's a magical quality.

Pen and ink art

Last week, I posted about attending the Edward Gorey exhibit at the Boston Athenaeum. I attended the exhibit this past weekend (read my blog review here). After the exhibit, my mind is now fresh on pen and ink, and I want to highlight a few of my favorite pen & ink children's books...

Maurice Sendak on what being an illustrator means

Here's a wonderful little piece - Maurice Sendak talks about being a children's storybook illustrator, and what it truly means to him. One of the things he says is that he gets to illustrate the story behind - or beyond - the story on the written page. (This is not a direct quote.) I think he hit it on the head! I agree, and this is something that personally has driven me to work in children's illustration. It is an amazing feeling to be able to create your own story with the images at the same time so creatively and imaginatively amending the pre-written story. It's a very interesting and "alive" kind of kind of creativity that comes about working within this framework. He only scratches the surface of the concept here, but he does a nice job of explaining it in his own words and experience. In your experience, would you agree?