Random Illustrator Feature: Isabelle Arsenault
November 11th, 2008 by jules
I’ve been reading a copy of My Letter to the World and Other Poems, a handsomely-designed anthology of Emily Dickinson’s poetry with captivating illustrations from Canadian illustrator Isabelle Arsenault and published by Kids Can Press (in their Visions in Poetry series). The book has been nominated for the prestigious Governor General Literary Award of Canada 2008 as well as a Cybils award here in the U.S. And I’m so taken by the illustrations by Ms. Arsenault that I contacted her to ask if she’d like to share some today with our readers. Lucky for me, she said yes, as well as agreed to share some other bits of art work with us.
I really don’t even want to say much, except to tell you from which poems these illustrations come. I’d rather let her beguiling art speak for itself. However, I will add a few words from Isabelle herself, what she told me about the experience of creating the illustrations for this title:
For this specific project I’ve been working with a mix of collage, ink, crayon and acrylic. It was very inspiring for me to create images based on poetry, and especially Dickinson’s. I found her imaginary world fitting well my style and aspirations as an artist.
Opening this post is Isabelle’s illustration from “I cannot live with You.” The next two (below) are from “Hope is the thing with feathers,” followed by one from “I felt a Funeral, in my Brain,” one from “There’s a certain Slant of light” (which Arsenault imbues with chilling hints of 9/11), and another from “I cannot live with You.”
That could abash the little Bird / That kept so many warm —“
On the Heavenly fame — /
And were You — saved — / And I — condemned to be / Where You were not — / That self — were Hell to Me —“
The above illustration is from Marie-Danielle Croteau’s Le Coeur de monsieur Gauguin, which “won a few major awards in 2005 (such as the GG literary award of Canada),” Isabelle told me. “This was my first experience with {a} children’s book, and it has been translated in English since then by Tundra Books. That project made me reconsider my style and the main focus of my production to create more for…kids.”
Next is “an image from another children’s book, Rêves d’Enfance, featuring poems by Gilles Tibo and images by a selection of illustrators {from} 2005.”
{Be sure to follow the Rêves d’Enfance link, Jules adds, to see a great book cover.}
“The two following images are editorial pieces. They reflect my typical gouache, collage, and crayon approach. One is about ‘early retirement,’ and the second one ‘the Stanley Cup battle,’ {both from} 2007.”
“I now have two kids,” Isabelle told me, “and I can’t deny their influence on my work and ambition as an illustrator. I wish to work more in the children’s book illustration field and on other illustrated book projects. Other influences? … Beatrice Alemagna, Frederique Bertrand, Dominique Goblet, Anne Herbauts, Jean-François Martin, Gérard DuBois, Alain Pilon, and many more.”
Many thanks to Isabelle for stopping by and sharing her beautiful work with us today! I look forward to what she brings readers next.
Wow, I *love* this style. Pretty dark for kids’ stuff, but so compelling and evocative. I just ordered My Letter to the World, and will pester my library to purchase Mr. Gauguin. Thanks for sharing!
Jeremy, did you click on the artists and illustrators who have influenced Isabelle? Whoa. I’ve got some exploring to do. Good stuff.
I LOVE LOVE LOVE the cover of the Reves d’Enfance book, too. Maybe the library will have that as well, ’cause — like you — I’m going to try to find a copy of Mr. Gauguin’s Heart.
The image at the very top of this post was FANTASTIC. I never would’ve thought to connect Dickinson and the Alice books — maybe I’m reading too much into this — but the sort-of skirt/sort-of upended teacup, and the face looking down from above (is that the sun? is it a hole in the sky?), are enigmatic and suggestive (not in the flirtatious sense, more like “allusive”). *Love* it.
As Jeremy said, this is pretty dark for what we’d consider kids’ books — at least in the USA — but there’s no arguing with artwork that makes it difficult to speak.
(And yeah, those artists who’ve influenced Isabelle Arsenault are pretty fabulous, too. I especially liked the work of Jean-François Martin.)
Just when you probably feel you’ve gotten your blogging under control, you do something like this — making me wish 7 Imp could grow a couple more hands and heads to do an occasional feature on more illustrators in non-English-speaking countries (although I myself can’t speak anything BUT)…
these illustrations are just remarkable! The Dickinson book goes on the Christmas list for sure…
I love this book! I wrote a review for poetry Friday last month. If you’re interested, it’s at http://missrumphiuseffect.blogspot.com/2008/10/poetry-friday-book-review-my-letter-to.html.
Wow,wow,wow. What amazing illustrations. Going on my must have list.
What an amazing, rich art! It’s so good to be introduced to other Canadians working in this field.
Thanks for sharing these gorgeous illos. Putting the Dickinson book on my wish list, and going to hunt down Mr. Gauguin!
Those look amazing! I can’t wait to get my hands on the Emily Dickinson book. I’m such a fan of her work (and growing, as I continue to forge my way through her Collected Poems).
I have just fallen in love. She so perfectly captures the innocence/darkness duality and the isolation of Dickinson’s poetry. I gotta get this book too! Thanks, Jules.
Glad you all are enjoying her art work as much as I have. Eisha, I KNOW! I’ve been reading a library copy, but this might be a purchase in my future.
I wish I could also show you all the other chilling 911-esque illustrations from “There’s a certain Slant of light.”
this looks so utterly incredible…a def. must have…how beautifully rendered. thanks…wonderful find
Breathtaking. Just breathtaking. You could inhabit these images for hours.
sooooo good!
Gorgeous! I can’t wait to see the Dickinson book. And I love the cover of the Mr. Gaugain book. Amazing! Thanks for introducing me to her art.
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nice images, I borrowed the Emily pic, thanx
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so happy i found this inspiring blog!
Greetings!
Were you ever able to procure a copy of Mr. Gauguin’s Heart? I’ve been on the search as well.
Thank you,
Cory
Nope, but I need to try again!
I love her illustrations so, so much. Thanks for posting, Jules! Can’t wait to see more!
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