Jan Balet

I was first exposed to the work of Jan Balet at the vintage illustration flickr collection of Leif Peng of Today's Inspiration. Suffice it to say the name Jan Balet immediately went on my search list. Eventually, I hit paydirt. Collected here are some samples from the children's book What Makes an Orchestra written and illustrated by Jan Balet, 1951.

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New Website Design

Sorry for the long delay in posting folks. Let me take this opportunity to announce the launch of the new and improved design of my website. I've added a few new works as well, one of which I've posted below for a job I did for Charlotte Magazine. Please check out the rest at www.esturdevant.com.

Leonard Weisgard Update

Previously featured here last November, its time to follow-up with more vintage illustrations from Leonard Weisgard. The first five images are from the hard to find classic Little Golden Book from 1951, Pantaloon, written by Kathryn Jackson. The next three are from Pelican Here, Pelican There, which was also written by Weisgard and published in 1948.

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Yogi Bear and the Cranky Magician

Another classic illustrated by Mel Crawford, circa 1963. I added some more samples from this book at my flickr page for Mel Crawford. I previously posted about Mr. Crawford's work here. Also, check out Clarke Snyde's excellent blog Inspiration Grab-Bag and see his post of Mel Crawford's Pebbles Flintstone Little Golden Book.

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Communication Arts: Illustration 47

The above illustration of mine was recently selected to be in Illustration Annual 47, the July '06 issue of Communication Arts. I've long admired the works that appeared in the CA Illustration Annuals, so it's really gratifying to have made it into this year's edition, my first ever! The piece originally was done as a job for Atlanta Magazine. Also, you may remember it from a previous Illustration Friday post from last December.

Mr. Jolly's Sidewalk Market

In consecutive 2 page spreads, one for every month of the year, the activity surrounding Mr. Jolly's Sidewalk Market is depicted in this charming wordless book. Story and pictures by Laura Jean Allen, published in 1963. To see more images, go to my flickr page, or drop on over to The Retro Kid for even more great vintage children's printed goodies from the mid 20th century.

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(detail from November spread)

Spring Postcard Promo

It's that time again. Pictured is each side of the latest postcard promotional for my illustration biz. Just waiting to get them back from the printer, hopefully by end of next week. Then its off to the post office...

Storybook Ad Art from the 50s

Each day this week, Leif Peng at Today's Inspriation blog is featuring vintage ads from the 1950s with illustration stylistically influenced by children's story books. He's invited various guests to write the posts to go with these images. Monday's guest blogger is Dan Goodsell of A Sampler of Things blog with a very informative commentary on a lushly illustrated ad for Del Monte. I've written a post that Leif will run later this week, so be sure to check back again and again, you'll be glad you did.

John Parr Miller, part 3

Little Peewee (1948), written by Dorothy Kunhardt, was J. P. Miller's first in the Little Golden Book series, followed by Tommy's Wonderful Rides (not pictured).











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John Parr Miller, part 2

The below excerpt is from J. P. Miller's N.Y. Times obituary...

... the illustrator of several incredible Little Golden Books, Miller's art is still influential to a new generation of animators artists. His "Little Red Hen" is still in print and considered a classic. "Lucky Mrs. Ticklefeather," "Little Pee Wee" "The Little Golden Funny Book", "The Marvelous Merry-Go-Round", "Tommy's Wonderful Rides", "The Circus ABC" and many others, define the Little Golden Book style. These books, all done in the late 1940s and early 50s, are prime examples of the stylized modern commercial art of the era - and a huge influence on many of today's best animators (including Spumco), leading cartoonists and commercial designers.

Also, be sure to read A Remebrance of John Parr Miller by his brother George Miller at Cartoon Brew. It details his beginnings as an animator at Disney during the depression.

These samples are from the Little Golden Book version of the Brothers Grimm classic The Musicians of Bremen, 1954.











(click on images for larger view)