August Strindberg Repertory Theatre - EASTER

I went to see the production of Easter, the other night by the August Strindberg Repertory Theatre. When I saw the character of Lindy, played by Jolie Garrett walk onto the stage I was struck by how the hat he wore and his broad physique was echoed in my illustration of the character. The family owes him money so I portrayed him as a shadow since he looms over them in their minds.  The robin (a bird that is typically free in the wild) represents the family and the cage symbolizes the fragility and imprisonment they seem to feel in their circumstance.  The yellow lily is both a reference to Easter and to the daughter. The image I submitted is on the left, the final product for their postcard/poster is on the right - they chose to use a different typeface.

my submission (L)   

postcard as it was produced (R)

the design worked well with the cast list and other info added

I also must mention that in a review from Stage and Cinema, the reviewer erroneously credited me with the painted black and white window backdrop used in the set design. Angelina Margolis is the set designer. Although we didn't collaborate, we both got a black and white graphic style vibe from the play. I'm enjoying the challenge of this type of illustration project and I'm looking forward to doing more projects for the theater.

Click HERE for the review from the New York Times. I love how this 19c Swedish play is transported to 1958 Harlem.The production takes the heart of the story, about relationships and circumstance and makes it relevant to a modern audience today. Robert Greer, the artistic director will appear in an interview with me on my Conversations... blog later this year. The general link to that blog is HERE and you can search under the heading of Theater.

This production runs through March 31st at the Gene Frankel Theatre in NYC. Click HERE for further info, schedule and tickets.

Morgan Library Annual Book Project

I can't believe it's already been a year since I participated in The Morgan Library Book Project award judging. Last year I read stories about the surprise of the birth of hamsters from a 3rd grader to a fantasy story by a 7th grader. This year my group was 3rd and 4th grade. There was everything from a description of a field trip to Haiku poetry. The artwork is amazing and the stories are quite impressive.

The kids learn to make their own illustrated manuscript book using real materials provided by the Morgan Library Museum. After learning about the process and visiting the real thing at the museum they are ready to create their own book with the assistance of their teachers. The kids make their paint from scratch, crushing saffron for yellow, or cochineal beetles for red (ooh, how cool is that!) and other materials in a mortar and pestle and add the binder. They even get to use gold leaf! It's such a wonderful experience for them, and I feel privileged to participate and see all of their creations.  Click HERE to see last year's award winners. And I will update this blog with this year's winners around the first week of April when the Morgan Library posts the results. The awards have been expanded and more work from the award winners will be exhibited in the museum this year, so I will have the info here. It will be well worth a trip to see the books in person as the photos don't do them justice.

UPDATE:
Here are photos from the award ceremony this year. Some of the books are on display through April 18. click HERE