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Because I like good picture books about art, I’m going to share two today that have caught my eye lately. <\/p>\n First up is The Magical Life of Mr. Renny<\/a><\/em><\/strong>, a picture book import from Belgian author\/illustrator, Leo Timmers<\/a><\/strong>. Originally published in 2010 as Meneer Ren\u00e9<\/em>, we will see the first American edition, thanks to Gecko Press and translator Bill Nagelkerke, this September. <\/p>\n “The translation is solid,” that PW<\/em> review adds, “the pacing is brisk, but it\u2019s Timmers\u2019s arch spreads that take the cake.” Indeed. There are lots of picture books that address the notion of being careful what you wish for, but Timmers vibrantly-colored, larger-than-life spreads make this one stand out, particularly if you’re interested, as I am, in seeing what illustrators over the pond, so to speak, are doing. His artwork bursts with energy and color and is altogether not unlike a slightly more amped-up, surreal version of Chris Van Dusen’s<\/a><\/strong> artwork. <\/p>\n Here are some illustrations …<\/p>\n Julie Danneberg’s<\/a><\/strong> Monet Paints a Day<\/em><\/a><\/strong>, released in early July by Charlesbridge, is illustrated in watercolor by debut picture book illustrator Caitlin Heimerl<\/a><\/strong>, who studied at RISD<\/a><\/strong>. Both author and illustrator capture the determination and stubborn spirit of Monet on one single afternoon near the tide, where he paints what he sees before him. Engrossed in his work while on holiday in \u00c9tretat, France, he and his easel, paints, and canvas are swept away by a giant wave. He recovers, trudges away to “dry clothes, a warm fire, and a soothing cup of tea,” ready to start again another day. <\/p>\n This book, which hardly sentimentalizes or romanticizes the painter’s work, closes with a note on Monet’s painting techniques, as well as a bibliography. Nearly every spread includes a boxed fact about Monet, his work, his technique, and how he wrote to his fianc\u00e9e, Alice Hosched\u00e9, about progress on his paintings. In fact, the book is framed by an 1885 letter to her about his attempt to paint at the shore. <\/p>\n This is an engaging, honest, and (in many ways) stark portrayal that humanizes an iconic painter, and it’s a promising debut from Heimerl. <\/p>\n Here are some illustrations. Enjoy. <\/p>\n![](\"http:\/\/blaine.org\/jules\/Monetpg26large.jpg\")
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knowing that I will be back again tomorrow.”<\/em>
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But all the time he was imagining what he could do next. …”<\/em>
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(Click to enlarge)<\/center><\/p>\nIn an Author’s Note, Danneberg (who is a middle school teacher, which means she is made of superhero—rather, superheroine—material) explains why she doesn’t provide “all the details of Monet’s life and art in this story.” Wanting to give readers a sense of his single-minded nature and focus, she lays the story out in the same way he and other Impressionists created their work — by capturing the feeling or impression of his day. <\/p>\n<\/a>
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and then trudge across the rocky beach.”<\/em>
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and most of all, frustration with my painting.”<\/em>
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I concentrate on mixing the paint colors to capture the pinks and oranges of the stone arch, the blues and violets of the horizon, and the greens of the rolling waves.”<\/em>
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