It's a BOOK! (the trailer)

Here is a pretty funny trailer for 'It's a book' by Lane Smith.

Also funny (once you've watched the trailer) will be that you are WATCHING a book TRAILER... ... you know....(?)

What I found at Renaissance Books in Victoria...

So a little while ago I went to go to Victoria with my good friend Brandy from the R.A.T. and it was pretty great. Some things highly recommended: Going to 'Miniature World' and the BC Museum, but of course I could not go somewhere without checking out all of their... booooooooostores.... So after going to several recommended stores which were all very lovely, I happened to bump into one that was not recommended (and those that you find on your own are of COURSE always the best ones...) They are a fine used bookstore called Renaissance Books and are located at 14 Bastion Square in Victoria, should you ever find yourself on this lovely part of Vancouver Island.

I was in there for a pretty long time admiring all sorts of books, and one of the things that I was struck by immediately was not their Children's book section, which was ok, but their 'Illustration and Illustrated books' section. I have to say I don't think I've (sadly) ever come across a section dedicated to this. Needless to say... I was pretty impressed.

I posted a couple of my purchases above, a copy of 'Punch' a satirical English magazine published around 1915 that featured many many famous illustrator's work. One person I've already written about on this blog who contributed many illustrations to 'Punch' was John Tenniel the illustrator of the original 'Alice in Wonderland.'

My other purchase was 'The Illustration of Books' by David Bland. I have not had the chance to read it yet, but it looks pretty promising.

Last but not least, I found this great copy of one of my beloved illustrated books from my younger days,... 'Chitty Chitty Bang Bang'. Hurray! Look how great the illustrations are! And remember... this is before the days of Photoshop, so that moving car images with the muliple exposure look, is probably exactly that. Illustrated by John Burningham... I will soon have to post some more images by him, because as it turns out... he's amazing! What do you know...

One more Emma Chichester Clark...

This one's pretty good! Plus I love that story!

Emma Chichester Clark

Sorry for the recent delay in posts, but most relationships need a break sometime and this happened to also be the case for me and this here blog. But.... baaaack!

One of my awesome students from my class by the name of Francis Heng gave me a couple of small bought prints at the end of the class, both of well known illustrators (thanks again Francis! So kind of you!) One was of Fred Banbery, and one was of Emma Chichester Clark. I realized right away when I saw the prints that I had come across the name of Clark and could also picture some of her work in my head, but hadn't really dedicated any amount of time to actually find out more about her or look up any books of hers or images online. On the back of the print is a quite informative blurb about her and it states that she studied under Quentin Blake at the Royal College of Art. LUCKY! I would have loooooved to study under Blake, man oh man... that would have been soooo sweeet... oh well. She did anyhow. I can't seem to find too much of her images online... could it be she does not have a website....? So strange, but she does have work up for viewing and selling at this gallery. I'm posting some of these images which are unfortunately a tad small and some of her fantastic book covers I have found in the world of the internet.
Things to note: fantastic compositions, and very good and real glimpse of the mischievousness of children. Her sense of color palette for some of her images and the fact that she uses watercolor reminds me of another illustrator I love ... Melissa Sweet. Perhaps I will have to cover her next to compare and contrast.

Ronald Searle interview

Here is an interview with Ronald Searle that is definitely worth watching. Ok, so he isn't exactly in the category of 'Children's' Picture books, but he IS in the category of Picture books for grownups and Comics and so as you know the connection in terms of process and artistry is obvious.

My favorite bit he says in the interview, regarding his work: ' The moment it's successful- kill it! Because it can only get worse from there.' That strategy towards your work really shows artistic integrity and is sooooo very very sadly hardly existing anymore in our current age of making a series out of everything in order to sell the sticker book, stuffed animal and mug to go along with your book.

Also, noteworthy other than the fact that Searle appears to be drunk at all times, is his desk of which you get a really good long view during the interview. Notice the color-coded planner and the many small timers hanging up. Timing yourself for drawings can be a really great and effective way to work! But yeah, this man totally rocks! Check out his stuff if you're not familiar with it because he is one of the great masters of visual slapstick and comedy! Yup. So good!

Jian Ghomeshi on the eminent extinction of the independent bookstore

Have a listen to Jian Ghomeshi's opening lines for his CBC show Q. The topic: our independent bookstores and what's left of them. If you scroll down that webpage there are also some good comments from listeners posted.
Thanks Jian, couldn't agree more!

While on this topic:

Here are four really great indie bookstores I love that are currently operating in Vancouver that have Not gone out of business yet and should you not have been there I highly recommend going there.

1. Humpty Dumpty Books and Music

1496 Cartwright St

(604) 683-7009

online

( located inside the Kidsmarket on Granville Island)

They offer a great selection of classics especially and have a lot of softcover books which means that they will be more affordable. Also featured is a French and Spanish selection. It's a very small space crammed full of amazing books! Next time your on Granville Island go and check it out!

2. Lucky's Comics

3972 Main Street
(604) 875-9858

online

Lucky's has a great and quircky selection of comics, some especially for children, graphic novels, novelty books, picture books, novels and zines. Also there is a gallery in the back so you can check out some local talent at the same time. Great place to get lost in for a bit while you're on Main Street.

3. Oscars Art Books

1533 West Broadway (Granville & Broadway)
(604) 731-0553

online

Oscars is a fantastic bookstore full of art books. They book shelves just on drawing, just on typography, just on painting techniques, paper making, illustration, photography, etc... Also they have tons of books on artists as well as a great selection of moleskin sketchbooks, calendars, and always a big table in the back with books on sale! Go there!

4. Mc Clouds Books

455 Pender Street

(604) 681-7654

online

This is my favorite bookstore in Vancouver in terms of atmosphere. You go in there and the first thing you'll probably see is just stacks of books not even on shelves, just stacked on top of each other. It really smells like books in there if you know what I mean. Mc Clouds specializes in antique books and if you really want to tease yourself go peek in their glass cabinets filled with antique Children's picture books. Absolutely amazing!