Often when we think of the word "artist" we think Monet, Picasso, Rembrandt, but what about illustrators? Illustrators are, in their own right, professional artists and can inspire us just like many of the masters. For our children they play a part in their imaginative world, helping bring to life characters and experiences, much like looking at art in a museum can do for adult. The difference between an "artists" and an "illustrator" is you typically wouldn't find a children's book illustrator in a museum, until now.
And speaking of illustrators in museum -there are two exhibits going on right now that I want to share with you....
The first is Eric Carle at the Montclair Museum in Montclair, NJ. This exhibit explores how the artist Franz Marc influenced Carle as a young boy and helped shape his art. Families can also stop by the Family Learning Lab and create an Eric Carle style collage and then cozy up with a book in the Reading Nook.
The second is Mo Willems at the High Museum of Art in Atlanta. Willems illustrations bring to life Don't Let the Pigeon Drive the Bus and Knuffle Bunny as well as our family favorite, the Elephant and Piggie books. His artwork is simple, yet profound, his characters silly, but serious, much like title of his exhibition: Seriously Silly! The art and whimsy of Mo Willems.
Finally if you're visiting Massachusetts this fall to watch leaves change, be sure to head over to the Eric Carle Museum where you can find a wonderful collection of children's illustrators on display. Here are the illustrators on view right now.
image: John Phelan via Wikicommons
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