Chris Van Allsburg Illustrator Study Debra Woodruff LIS

Chris Van Allsburg Illustrator Study Debra Woodruff LIS 617 -01

Childhood & Education • Born June 18, 1949, Grand Rapids, MI • Youthful hobbies: exploring his neighborhood and surrounding woods and building models • Showed early interest in math & science, but never took art classes in middle or high school • Entered Michigan State Architecture and Design program in 1967 • Received M. F. A. from Rhode Island School of Design in 1975 • Established studio & exhibited sculptures

Sculptures Event at the Observatory Waxes, Terracotta 1974 Spilling Coffee Wood, 11” W x 20” H 1975 Titanic Sinking Bronze, 28” L x 11” W x 12” H 1971

From Sculpture to Illustration • Two illustrations were selected for exhibition at the Whitney Museum of Art in 1978 • His wife Lisa Morrison, an elementary school art teacher, encouraged him to consider book illustrating • Writer-illustrator David Macaulay brought sketches to Houghton Mifflin editor Walter Lorraine • Lorraine encouraged Van Allsburg to create his own story, rather than illustrate for others Chris & Lisa

The Garden of Abdul Gasazi (1979) • Caldecott Honor Book • Recognitions from ALA, Boston Globe. Horn Book, and New York Times • First of several surreal stories that challenge the reader to decide “What really happened? ”

Surreal Events in a Realistic Setting • Textures • Distance & depth

Jumanji (1981) • Caldecott Winner • Recognitions from ALA, Boston Globe. Horn Book, New York Times, NYPL, and IRA-CBC • Another surreal adventure

Surreal Events in a Realistic Setting • Incongruous elements

Ben’s Dream (1982) • “A shared dream, or just a coincidence? ”

Surreal Events in a Realistic Setting • Varying line styles create texture and depth

The Wreck of the Zephyr (1983) • Recognitions from ALA, New York Times, and IRA • “Believe the legend, or accept the plausible explanation? ”

Surreal Events in a Realistic Setting • Light & shadow

The Polar Express (1985) • Caldecott Winner • Recognitions from ALA, Booklist, Horn Book, and New York Times • “Imagination, or magic only children can perceive? ”

Surreal Events in a Realistic Setting • Soft focus

The Wretched Stone (1991) • Recognition by IRA-CBC • “Hallucination or enchantment? ”

Surreal Events in a Realistic Setting • Contrast between text and illustrations July 19 I have made an encouraging discovery. I am playing the violin and reading to the crew. It is having a positive effect. They are walking upright and have an alert look in their eyes,

The Sweetest Fig (1993) • Recognitions by SLJ, ALA, and Booklist • “Wishful thinking or wish granting? ”

Surreal Events in a Realistic Setting • Changing perspectives

Zathura (2002) • Did that really happen?

Surreal Events in a Realistic Setting • Drifting out the frame • Capturing movement

The Stranger (1986) • Who is The Stranger?

Surreal Events in a Realistic Setting

Surreal Events in a Realistic Setting

Surreal Events in a Realistic Setting

Surreal Events in a Realistic Setting

Surreal Events in a Realistic Setting “He couldn’t look at a tree’s green leaves without sensing that something was terribly wrong. … He ran to a tree and pulled off a leaf. He held it in a trembling hand and, without thinking, he blew on it with all his might. ”

Conclusion • Successfully convinces the reader that these fantastic events could happen in reality • Realistic traits: 1. 2. 3. 4. 5. • Textures Depth & distance Light & shadow Varying perspective Capturing movement Surrealistic qualities: 1. 2. 3. 4. Soft focus Juxtaposing text & illustrations Moving elements out of frame Incongruous elements placed together