May 13, 2012 In Uncategorized By Tracey Campbell Pearson

What is wrong with this picture?

While looking through the original art from Sing a Song of Sixpence, the book I dedicated to Maurice…I discovered this piece of art marked REJECT!

What did I not like about this art in 1984?
(I decided to do the art over when all I had left to paint was the bulldog. The bulldog was not the problem.)

So what is different?
Look in the book below and see for yourself.

Or…better yet…go to the Mazza Museum: International Art from Picture Books and see the original in Findlay, Ohio. It is an amazing place filled with original children’s book art.

…another note…I painted this book to Mozart…another lesson learned from Maurice…thank you…tcp

 

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May 11, 2012 In Uncategorized By Tracey Campbell Pearson

For Maurice

Sing a song of sixpence,
A pocket full of rye;
Four-and-twenty blackbirds
Baked in a pie!

When the pie was opened
The birds began to sing;
Was not that a dainty dish
To set before the king?

The above illustration is from my book Sing a Song of Sixpence
published by Dial Books in 1985

The dedication in this book…”For M. and J.”
…for Maurice Sendak and Jane Bierhorst, my teachers and in my mind…the King and Queen of picture books. My challenge to myself was to create a book from the poem that Randolph Caldecott, the “Father of Picture Books” illustrated in 1880.

Every book that I make, I return to the lessons learned from these two talented and generous people.

This is my birthday wild thing from Maurice that hangs in my studio.

Maurice…You are on my wall…on my shelves…in my heart…thank you…tcp

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April 22, 2012 In Sketchbooks By Tracey Campbell Pearson

Sketchbook @ another UVM Lane Series Concert

[slideshow]
Although I am listening to jazz in my studio as I wrap up my Elephant book…I was back at another UVM Lanes Series Concert this weekend.
Les Amies…with flute, harp and viola. The music was lovely. Ibert, Bach, Fauré, Ravel, Clearfield & Debussy.

Then…Surprise!

I was not the only one drawing in a sketchbook…One artist behind me….another down the row from her….both drawing! I have been sketching at concerts for 30 years…rarely have seen another sketchbook…never two!

I hope this is the beginning of a trend!

Listen to live music. Bring a sketchbook. Enjoy!…tcp

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April 19, 2012 In Uncategorized By Tracey Campbell Pearson

Calico Pie…yum!

CALICO PIE.

Calico pie,
The little birds fly
Down to the calico-tree:
Their wings were blue,
And they sang “Tilly-loo!”
Till away they flew;
And they never came back to me!
They never came back,
They never came back,
They never came back to me!

-Edward Lear

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April 16, 2012 In Uncategorized By Tracey Campbell Pearson

Spring Bonnets & Edward Lear!

Spring is here! So is Poetry Month. I pulled out my “Bird Bonnet” to celebrate and to honor my favorite poet…Edward Lear.

There  was a Young Lady whose bonnet
Came untied when the birds sate upon it;
But she said, “I don’t care!  all the birds in the air
Are welcome to sit on my bonnet!”

Limerick by Edward Lear…

…Just one of many!  Visit your library and find more…or make up your own!
Make every month Poetry Month!…tcp

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April 14, 2012 In Sketchbooks By Tracey Campbell Pearson

Sketchbook @ UVM Lane Series Concert

I first started drawing to music in the 1970’s as a student of Maurice Sendak’s at Parsons School of Design in NY. When Maurice told us how he worked to Mozart, I decided to give it a try. I never stopped. Music is a constant in my studio. I listen to classical, jazz, rock & roll and even opera. It depends on the book that I am working on and my mood. Right now, I have Stan Getz and Miles Davis with me.

When I leave my studio, I always have my sketchbook. I love drawing at concerts. Sometimes…I am close enough to draw the musicians. Often…I am distracted by the people I see in the audience! These sketches are from a UVM Lane Series Concert with Jamie Laredo & Sharon Robinson.  It was a wonderful concert.

 

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April 9, 2012 In Uncategorized By Tracey Campbell Pearson

A Birthday Post


Today is our daughter’s 25th birthday. She is an abstract painter in Brooklyn, NY. When I visit schools kids ask, “What is an abstract painting?” Here is a small sample of some of her big paintings. If you would like to see more of her paintings you can contact me through my website. Happy Birthday, Catherine!

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April 7, 2012 In Uncategorized By Tracey Campbell Pearson

School Visit to Alden Primary, Buffalo, NY

The halls and library of Alden Elementary were filled with Bobs and Bats on the day of my visit in March 2012. Lions and chickens….brightly colored snakes hanging out in the library! Here is just some of the wonderful artwork made by the students! Thank you to everyone for the great day!

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March 14, 2012 In Uncategorized By Tracey Campbell Pearson

Bob Baby

This little Bob was made by a student at Waterbury Elementary in Vermont. He gave it to me to keep. I was thrilled to be able to take Bob home to my studio. I will have to start posting my growing Bob collection! Thank you Waterbury!

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