Cyrano

Quite possibly the most elegantly illustrated book I own.
I purchase this book 5 years ago in Paris at the Louvre. I walked into a small gift shop filled with books and this one stood out above all others. I just had to have it. Every page I turned made it that much more clear to me how badly I needed this book for my Children book collection. Little did I know at the time I was pregnant with our daughter and in 9 months time begin to share my love for books with her.The only disappointment I have is that I have yet to learn French or have someone translate the book for me so that I can read it to Emma.

Each image in this book is so beautiful and compelling and tells it's own story with every turn of the page.
This glorious book is a wonderful 9 1/2 inches wide and 14 1/2 inches tall and make for a wonderful display in any artistic home.

The Tale of Three Trees

Just in time for Easter, this is a wonderful story of the life of Jesus told through the tale of three trees. Each tree has a dream for what they want to be when they grow tall..... and like most of our desires, we may get what we want, just not the way we thought we would get it.

An absolutely beautifully illustrated book and an enchanting retelling of an American folktale. The Tale of Three Trees was the first book I purchased for my children book collection in 1994. I was introduced to the book right before Christmas by my husband (at the time my boyfriend) and he had actually had to force me to read the book. It was an emotional discovery and I just had to go purchase a copy for myself. Like most Christian stories and folktales, you don't have to be Christian to appreciate the message it brings.

A great read for the whole family at Christmas and Easter or anytime you need a reminder to hold on to your dreams because things will work out better than you ever expected in the end.

Naive

Naive was one of those amazing finds in Anthropologie. And for those of you have yet to venture into an Anthropologie then you are really missing a great shopping experience. For some reason some of my most treasured books have come out of this wonderful store.

Naive is 171 pages of pure graphic design heaven. A wonderful look at patterns, typography, and illustrations. From concert posters to fashion advertisements to greeting cards, all done in a very modernism/ folk art approach to contemporary graphic design. No reading, just jammed pack of great works that will inspire your next project or your next 10 projects.I originally purchased the book because of all the wonderful nature and tress with in the first few pages. I love trees and birds so much and there are so many wonderful approaches to both subjects through out the book. The color schemes and different techniques to the same subject make me want to start sketching out my own versions. But in the end I found the book to be more surprisingly packed with great and unusual works that intrigue. I've been introduced to a whole new group of illustrators with gorgeous talent.


I've only given in to letting you see just a few pages of pure bliss, but is a must own book. these images would be hard to seek out by just using google. A book packed with such imagery and imagination should be enjoyed and be an inspiration for young minds.

Love

I bought this book some years ago in at the San Diego Museum of Art in their gift shop. It was a wonderful find! I loved the cover and then read the book with in minutes and was crying at the end. It's a quick read but packed with lots of emotion. The book was originally published in France in 1964, but the message is still so relevant today.
Each page is a delight in expressive illustrations and typography. Anyone who loves illustration, typography and unique books this is a find. Note that this is NOT a children's book. I did read it once to my 4 year old daughter and she was in tears from the beginning, and was upset for sometime after reading the book. I felt horrible about it.
This is a raw look at not being loved as a small little girl and being all alone in the world with only one desire and this is to love someone, anyone.
The book really makes you think about the importance of compassion, understanding and above all Love.
If you turn the last page and not burst into tears or at least feel love bursting inside of you then you might just be a loveless person.

Masters Of Illustration

A few weeks ago my husband surprised me. After tucking the kids into bed for the night I came downstairs to sit with my husband while he ate his dinner after arriving home from an extremely long day. The days have been long for both of us lately, and I gushed with excitement as if it were Christmas morning and Saint Nick had brought me a pony. Sitting on the table was Masters of Illustration by David Downton. I have been admiring his amazing talent for years and have scooped up every article, and book that talks about him. I took the book to bed with me that night and began reading it from beginning to end. What a treasure it is.

The book starts off with his favorite illustrators of fashion from about the 1800's through present time, ending with a wonderful collection by him. Its an illustrated look back at fashion it's history and where Mr Downton gets his inspiration and style from.

I myself, am struggling with a "new look" or creating a "better me" in my illustrations, and this book couldn't have arrived at a better time. I am working on a whole new set of subjects and a fresh look at inspiration and fashion is just what I need to keep my focus clear and moving a a beautiful direction.
You can see a bit of all the artists reflected in his amazing strokes and color. I don't want to give too much away, but this is a must for anyone who has a love for fashion/illustration and the magic that is David Downton.

Fashion Sketchbook

This was the first fashion illustration book I ever purchased. It's had it's share of wear and tear over the years and was worth every penny I paid for it. For ages I thought I would be working in the fashion industry and dreamed about being the next David Downton. But I have sense changed gears a bit but still find myself referencing this book constantly.

The book is filled from beginning to end with how to do's and it wonderful especially if you are a beginner at fashion illustration as apposed to life drawing, comic, or manga illustration. They all have their own special "look" and you need to know proportions and techniques as you develop your own style.


I love that the book just doesn't' focus on women's fashion but also kids and men. From posing to dressing you'll get all the know how for all your little or big fashion sketches.

The book also goes over finishing up your sketch with color and details.

And even has guest artists with some of their very stylish illustrations. It really gets you pumped for creating your own style.



I'm thrilled to see that there is now a fifth addition and really really want to purchase it.

My Dad's a Birdman

I've been reading to my daughter for 4 years now, and yes, that means she is 4 years old. I purchased this book shortly after her 2nd Birthday and began reading her chapters after nap time in 2009 (2 years after the book was published). It was an absolute treat! Very imaginative, dreamy, funny and lovable. Even though it's a chapter book with few images, the text give enough color and illusion that anyone with an imagination can bring the story to life inside themselves. And my very imaginative 2 year old was no different. Since the first reading of the book at age 2, I have read it to her 2 more times. She absolutely loves the book.

It's a delightful story of a little girl named Lizzie and her very unusual dad and a very extraordinary competition.
But I am one to judge a book by it's cover and I must say this one says it's worth a read, so I couldn't resist buying it. I was a little worried that buying a chapter book with a scattering of illustraions might not be enjoyable to a 2 year old, but I was wrong. With only 17 chapters we had the book finished in less than 2 weeks. It was a quick read and each chapter was engaging and fun. As quick as you fall in love with the delightful illustrations you will fall in love with the charming story of determination, grief, strength, and love.

Train to Glasgow

A good friend got this book for my daughter on her second Easter. My husbands family is from Glasgow so it was a particular joy to see a children's book with Glasgow in the title and it is about a boy named Donald (my husbands name), so I swear this book was written for us. No matter what anyone tells you, trains aren't just loved by little boys. My Emma loves trains and has her own Thomas the Train set. So this book was an instant favorite in our home. It's got wonderfully lively illustrations that go with the rollicking text. Since my daughter loved the book so much I got a second copy for my son when he was born 9 months ago. Because as any mother of boys will tell you, you can find a dozen or more kid books on princesses to every one book that might be appropriate for a boy. An absolute treasure for boys and girls and is best read by my husband with his Scottish accent.

Fashion & Graphics

Two of my loves in one book! Fashion & Graphics is an wonderful look at the fashion industry working with graphic designers to create what will be come iconic designs craved by the consumers as a must own item.
24 fashion houses and 19 graphic design firms share their story of collaboration and journey into each others world. The book and each study goes over everything from the tiny tag on the clothing to the invitations, shopping bags, perfume, and just about anything else you will see the name dropped on.
I've shown a few of my favorite studies of fashion houses and their look/logo that are gone over in the book. Each with a very different approach to the same outcome.....The coveted label!
This book is a treasure to anyone who loves fashion and has a great appreciation for all that is graphic design.

Martin Pebble

A wonderful French story of two odd little boys and their great friendship. Published by Phaidon, so right away you know it's a treasure to own. It's a French classic since 1969 illustrated and text by Jean-Jacques Sempe. I purchased this book while I was pregnant with my daughter in 2006 when it was first put into print in English. I fell in love with the illustrations and story.
I love the detail, and white with just a hint of color.
Such great use of line and words. An absolute treasure!

Six by Seuss

It's Dr. Seuss's 107 birthday today! I grew up loving every one of his books. Once a week my mom would take all four of us kids to the library and let us pick out 4 books each. I always had at least one Dr Seuss book in my stack. Maybe becasue I was able to read the fun scrambling and made up words, or maybe it was the super silly images, but more likely it was both. Years later as an adult before I ever started having kids I bought this book. It was a childhood memory I didn't want to let go of. I never owned a Dr Seuss book as a child and I wasn't about to go through my whole life not having a treasury like this. Now with a 4 year old and a 9 month old in the house I happily read them the funny tales in the book as well as other favorites I've added to their library. Happy Birthday to a man that made reading fun and illustrations silly!

Christian Dior

It's the first day of Paris Fashion week and a sad day as well. Dior has fired it's 15 year head designer John Galliano for his horrible and unforgivable slander. Despite all of that, Christian Dior at the heart is a man who's talent will never be forgotten, Christian Dior himself. I forever will admire his work and the 10 wonderful years after WWII of fashion and beauty. This book is one of my most treasured fashion books. I have read it from cover to cover, stared into every illustration and image for countless hours only to fall in love with Monsieur Dior over and over again. This is a beautiful story of France, of Paris coming out of it's darkest hours of WWII into a beautiful light that Dior shown on every lady.
The book is filled with photos of the man himself, his story, his sketches, drawings and ideas. Ten years of talent fill this book only to end in his death.
It's aw inspiring for any artist, and Dior will always be my favorite fashion house. No one can ruin what Monsieur Dior created. He gave a broken world back it's femininity, narrow waists, high and prominent bust, long skirts, and fabulous evening dresses made up of seemingly endless meters of luxurious cloth.
This is a beautiful oversize limited edition book based mostly on photographs in the Dior archives, and is the detailed history of the first decade of the great house's activity when Christian Dior personally supervised every detail.

Drawing People

Okay, okay, I know that there are hundreds of "How To Draw People" books out there but very few go over children, and most don't even talk about children at all! Since I've had two babies myself and I am an artist I wanted to get a better grasp on drawing not only the human form, clothed, but also my kids. I wanted to create art around their little worlds and I needed a bit of help fine tuning those skills so that they still looked "correct" and maintained my style. I have a lot of great books on drawing people that I am sure I will share over time on this blog, but this is by far my favorite on how to draw babies and kids. Don't get too excited if you think it's all about drawing kids. The kids portion is still only a few pages, but those pages have been worth every penny for the cost of the book. So if you looking for a great book on drawing the human form, with clothes at every age this should be your book of choice!

Louis Vuitton Carnet de Voyage London

My husband and I have a love for London, so I couldn't pass up this wonderful travel journal. I was in Louis Vuitton in San Diego picking out a new wallet for my husband for fathers day and when I saw this I knew it would be a special addition to his father's day gift.

The book opens with a pocket of beautifully water colored postcards that I just don't see us ever being brave enough to send them through the post.

Each page is a delight to turn, full of water colored illustrations and sketches of just about every place you can image you might visit while in London. And this is your perfect opportunity to jot down dates, past in photos, and write out your lovely memories.


There is loads of writing space and also gives you locations as well as ideas of what to visit, because no trip to London is complete with out a trip to Sherlock Holmes
This is the most luxurious travel companion I have found to date. It also is sold for Sydney, Rio, Athenes, Mumbai, and Pekin. So pack your bags and grab your book....It's time to travel!