FEBRUARY "READ" POSTER

February's Free Poster of the Month
http://www.wendy-watson.com

My February READ poster is now ready for free downloading from my website:  http://www.wendy-watson.com. When I announced the launch of this poster project, I blithely promised that I would create new original art for each poster.  I did not forsee a hiking accident at the end of December that would break my nose and put me out of commission for a few weeks.  So the image on this poster is not a brand-new piece of art, but rather an illustration from my book "Bedtime Bunnies".  I hope you enjoy it, print it, use it!

A BROKEN NOSE...AND ART FOR SALE

You may have been wondering where I was.  In a nutshell: first I was hiking with my daughter on South Mountain; then I was falling; then I was at the Emergency Room with a broken nose, getting stitched up; then I was hiding at home, looking and feeling like an Insectoid Alien from outer space.  I'm finally getting back to business.  I've begun listing original illustrations for sale in my online Etsy store, and today I added four pieces from the book IS MY FRIEND AT HOME: PUEBLO FIRESIDE TALES.

These tales were edited by the brilliant editor and translator of Native American literature, John Bierhorst.  Here is the opening image to that story, a tale that explains why Coyote has a blackened tail and crooked teeth.

Coyote tries to turn the tables on his treacherous friend, Snake...

 ...but Coyote's plan backfires when Snake sets Coyote's artificial tail on fire...

...and Coyote flees, a chastened and changed creature.  I am realizing only now, years after this book's publication, that I should have portrayed Coyote's tail in the opening image WITHOUT the blackened tip! Because of course, he had not yet been tricked by Snake, and his tail was at that point still beautifully rust-colored and pristine. Yet all the eyes (artist, author, art director, editors) that examined that art pre-publication failed to catch the slip.

Go to my Etsy store for prices and other details on these pieces: https://www.etsy.com/shop/WendyWatsonStudio?ref=si_shop  Or contact me through my website: http://www.wendy-watson.com

REMY CHARLIP

REMY CHARLIP was born on January 10, 1929. He was a multi-talented, highly gifted artist.  I knew his children's books from early on in my own career, but it was not until many years later that I learned of his accomplishments as a dancer, choreographer, theater director, designer, and teacher.

His book ARM IN ARM was my favorite of all his titles.  

It's a delightful and witty exploration of words and images, playing off of each other in sophisticated, yet child-like, experiments.  

It's quite likely that Charlip's books would never be published today.  A sad commentary on the current state of children's book publishing, which depends so much on glitz, hype, and promotion. Nor is Charlip well-known outside of professional circles.

I cannot possibly adequately present Charlip's work in this brief blog---one needs to hold the actual books in one's hands and read them, page by page, to appreciate this artist's genius.  I encourage you to track down some of Charlip's work.  Let him transport you.  The link below describes at some length his many accomplishments as an artist.

http://www.jweekly.com/article/full/39416/not-even-a-stroke-can-halt-prolific-s.f.-childrens-book-artist/

MY NEW "POSTER OF THE MONTH" PROJECT

January's Free Poster Of The Month
http://www.wendy-watson.com/poster.html

TA-DAH! I'm launching my latest website project:  a free poster to download and print each month from my website.  The posters are available in two sizes: 8 1/2 x 11, and 11 x 17.  In the past month or so, you may have seen the artwork for this January poster here on my blog, on my Facebook page, or in my Etsy store.  In the future I will be making a brand-new piece of art for each poster, so by the end of the year you'll have the entire collection of twelve posters.  Twelve pieces of art not found anywhere else (well, except for the January poster).  The poster files are large, so if you use a good quality stock, you should get a very nice print.  And what will the posters be promoting?  READING, of course!  Pass this on---to teachers, librarians, parents, and book lovers.  And let me know what you think of this idea!

http://www.wendy-watson.com/poster.html