Rabbit Nap

Winter's Nap © Judith Hunt 

One of several paintings done for a wildlife art show.

Memorial Day Book

Just about done with the Memorial Day book. It's been interesting interpreting this commemorative day in very stark visual images. While designing and illustrating this book I found myself considering just how many war vets I have known including those in our family.
And, yes,  all the guys and gals still doing service overseas.

Beluga Whale

The Beluga whale is smaller than a killer whale. It looks quite strange with it's bulging head giving it an almost humanlike appearance. With their eyes being large and expressive their overall appearance seems very friendly.

The illustration above was done for a  soon to be published children's book for Treasure Bay.

Nitrogen Cycle

Ever wonder what happens during a lightning storm? Well it's all a part of the nitrogen cycle! Amazing!
I do suggest that you keep the cows in during the lighting storm though.

Jim Henson's Muppets

 The Google icon this last week celebrated the 40th anniversary of Sesame Street which jogged my own memories of drawing muppets.

An illustrator who did muppet books for Children's Television Workshop/Sesame Street  assisted me with a some good advice on my portfolio at the beginning of my illustration career.  Eventually, after a few projects and other book assignments I ended up doing illustration work for Henson Associates way back when Jim Henson and his crew were still doing the Muppet Show. Loved that Show!

The Henson staff and art department were great... the work interesting, and the writer Andy Gutelle's manuscripts always refreshingly fun to illustrate. One of the books was turned into a video and I had to do weird angles and close-ups to add to it.

I enjoyed immensely creating the art for What's a Gonzo? Weird blue Muppets with all kinds of costumes in all kinds of goofy settings which gave my imagination a real workout. I also enjoyed going to New York City to pick-up my assignments at the Henson Townhouse.

Unfortunately, the original New York Henson Associates townhouse has been sold and altered since Henson's passing and the Disney purchase of the company. Now the incredible foyer with fantastic creative interior decorations are just memories.

 

 Henson Townhouse foyer mural with real theater seats for waiting guests.

The foyer had red flocked Kermit face wallpaper in the entry, scenes of Kermit the Frog in a pond full of lilypads as stainglass sidelights installed in the front door entry,  and looking up the winding stairwell in the reception room there was a huge stainglass skylight depicting a forest of towering trees. Both workshop and art room  were always filled with incredible creative energy and neat stuff.

The place was awesome and only now do I realize how lucky I was.

* I was both a cartoonist early on and realistic illustrator. Cartooning allowed me to have fun with my work and enjoy the lighter assignments and stay employed. I still enjoy using both styles.

Ellis Island Book's Ending

I ended the Ellis Island book just like it began, with the same group of Irish immigrants being shown on the museum display...which they are in the real display at the Ellis Island State Park and Museum.

Ellis Island Book

Ellis Island before it was Elllis Island 

More Ellis Island art to do for Red Line Editorial this coming week. Busy busy busy! Finally getting to finishing the book and then it is onto illustrating  the Memorial Day and White House Book before the end of November.