isabelle arsenault illustrates stories. what's really exciting about her work is that the illustrations also tell stories in their own right. i've come to realize that the reason i buy a certain kind of "picture book" is because they carry parallel narratives - one textual and one visual. in other words, if the text was removed, the images would fill me with the story or stories they have to tell and i would experience the same wondrous transporting away from this world that i experience with really well-written stories..
isabelle's work brings together the very best of the magically rich and the beautifully simple worlds of the imagination. you can see as much as you want or as little as you want. regardless of the degree or nature of your commitment, they are places to spend time.
here are a couple of examples that can be found in her first illustrated book entitled mr. gauguin's heart.
look at this beautiful illustration . . .
4 comments:
These would explain why I often buy books for the "grandkids" that I keep at our house so we'll have something to read them at bedtime.
These are beautiful illustrations with an eerie quality to them. Thanks for introducing me to these Steven
illustrations for "children's books" have come a very very long way in the last ten years. i think there are a lot of reasons for this, not the least of which is that people realize that "children" deserve to think and lots of illustrators - such as isabelle - create illustrations that compel you to respond. i buy books like this and (like you loren) i know i'm really buying them for myself - well and the kids!!!
sid - there's definitely something "other" about her work i'm with you there! steven
Post a Comment