Do you remember I posted an item called A Freakish Coincidence?It was about how an artist (in this case me) might unconsciously replicate another person's composition.
Here is a less close example of a painting I did for East of the Sun and West of the Moon, and a similar composition from The Runaway Bunny written by Margaret Wise Brown and illustrated by Clement Hurd.
Looking at them together, they aren't so alike, but it often occurred to me whilst reading The Runaway Bunny to my kids that maybe I had seen this picture years earlier, and had stored the design somewhere in the back of my mind. The more likely answer is probably to do with there only being so many ways to lay out the essential elements over a two page spread, so that similar designs will sometimes spring up independently.I have to say I think The Runaway Bunny is an awful book, but the author and illustrator really got it right with their classic Goodnight Moon.
Check out different approaches to East of the Sun and West of the Moon on the excellent Sur La Lune website.
7 comments:
I have loved The Runaway Bunny ever since I was little! My mother read it to me often.
It's fantastic that you respond so often and with such respect to your readers! It keeps us all inspired. Thanks!
Aladine.
Hi Aladine
The web is great for keeping us in touch with other like minded souls, so it's my pleasure to respond to folks who are good enough to comment.
I'm afraid we aren't "like-minded" over The Runaway Bunny. I really dislike it.
All the best
PJ
No worries! Goodnight Moon IS much better. I think Runaway Bunny is good from a child's perspective...its repetitive structure is comforting.
Aladine
Your illustrations in "East of the Sun and West of the Moon" is one of my favourite. I remember going to the library as a kid, borrowing the book and just sit and stare at the pictures.
I was wondering, does the illustration of the prince kissing his princess on the bed inspired by Gustav Klimt's "The Kiss"? (My favourite painting)
Thanks Anonymous,
You are exactly right. Strangely very few people have noticed that I used the pose of Klimt's figures from the Kiss even though the pose is very carefully replicated. I did it as a sort of homage I think.
All the best
PJ
:-) Thank you for the reply!
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