I have been inspired by the amazing link that Cally Jane (thanks Cally Jane!) had posted awhile back regarding Corey Godbey's project, Terrible Yellow Eyes. He wanted to put together a collection of paintings inspired by Where the Wild Things Are as a tribute and celebration of the book which had a massive influence on him. If you are not familiar with his project, please click here and enjoy!
These three illustrations were very fun to sketch and paint. I created the first "Welcome, Max!" (where the monsters are visions in the wind blowing Max and his boat to the island) and had a hard time with the water. I made it light and wispy at first, then decided it really needed to be pumped up with vibrant color, and then the marks/strokes were added to give it the feel that Mr. Sendak has in his book..though mine were much less strokes..the man was amazing!
The second and third pieces were more conceptual for me..I was thinking of Max growling and romping around (he's a young Max, isn't he?!) and then spotting the yellow moon and suddenly realizing that it was time to go home. Kinda like trotting to the edge of the world to realize that you're missing something.
The final piece is Max realizing that he has just been shut into his room..and how shocked he was. Mr. Sendak illustrated an angry max, folded arms and a bit pouty, but I think there's a bit of "oh my! Mom meant it this time!" in him, and so this is what I came up with...my little Max's are younger. I suppose I like to think of him as sweet and innocent..though Sendak's Max was mischievous, for sure.
I hope you enjoy these! I will get on to more posting - and my IF as soon as I can. Have a great rest of the weekend!!
Shirley
Fantastic Shirley! I love how you've done the waves
ReplyDeletei enjoy these!!!!!!!
ReplyDeletewhere the cute things are :D
Sarah! Ratu! So good of you to come by! Glad that you like the young Max. Have a wonderful rest of the weekend!
ReplyDeleteI love these Shirley! Have a lovely weekend :)
ReplyDeletemy first thought was how much I like the water, you did a good job on it, they are all very sweet, hmmm, maybe not the right word, they are lovely
ReplyDeleteLove these, your Max is so cute! Thanks for stopping by my blog and leaving such nice comments!
ReplyDeleteOh Shirley, I so love your illustrations, they are so charming, really fab!
ReplyDeleteoh wow Shirley this is just gorgeous. It's so interesting to see you work in a different style but still be able to keep your influence there. I love it! You are such a talented illustrator I love seeing what you come up with!!!
ReplyDeleteThese are so great. I love the way you kept the spirit of the orginals but added your own emotions to it.
ReplyDeleteHey Shirley, I love your tribute to Maurice... Your little Max is adorable. Have you seen the movie yet? I just bought another copy of the book. I'm hoping to keep it in better condition than the one me and my 6 siblings shared :0) I found the TYE blog last week as I was surfing and thought it was so cool! I actually started a Max and Carol piece and asked Corey for an invite. I haven't heard anything yet. So much wonderful art on there. I have it marked as one of my all time faves. Take care Shirley, God bless and keep on doodlin' :0)
ReplyDeleteHi everyone -it's late..I will be back to visit all of you tomorrow...thanks everyone for coming by! You're the best!
ReplyDeletewow!! beautiful, love them all :)
ReplyDeleteThe illustration are fantastic and love how you use watercolours!
ReplyDeleteI love this tribute!
ReplyDeleteso in the feeling!
Just adorable! A very nice tribute Shirley! :)
ReplyDeleteOh Shirley, that's so lovely! I think the sweetest tribute yet! It might be nice to try a new project and we could paint a tribute to our favourite children's books...have a great week, catch up soon x
ReplyDeleteaaaah! These are sooooo wonderful! I love these.
ReplyDeleteI really love your depiction of the characters!
ReplyDeleteThis is beautiful!!! I love what you've done with the waves and max is absolutely adorable!
ReplyDeleteHey Shirley, I am loving your watercolour...mmmmmm. Thankyou for your lovely words, your encouragement and enthusiasm travels across the seas to me....
ReplyDeleteYou have a beautiful style. I like your illustrations.
ReplyDeleteI love your take on this classic book. Great job!
ReplyDeleteThese are absolutely gorgeous! One of my favorite books. Of course, if you're an illustrator and DON'T like Maurice Sendak then something is wrong. Nice work.
ReplyDeleteAbsotively, posolutely, brilliant! Your illustrations are fantastic, a very fitting tribute. I love your Max's face once he finds himself back in his room. But I also love his stomping and growling! Wonderfully whimsical and precious.
ReplyDeleteChild-like innocence captured with the stroke of your talented brush!
Have a great weekend, my dear.