Do you ever spend hours on the WWW following trail after trail? What a silly question to ask of blog readers!
On one of my recent wanders, I followed a link to Scott Gustafson’s site based on this description: amazing illustrator!
What greeted me there so charmed me that I immediately asked if I might have permission to use one of Mr. Gustafson’s images. The answer came quickly...yes! Hence I am sharing with you. If you have time to wander today, please visit and see all the wonderful illustrations shown there. You’ll be charmed, as well.
Welcome to the Land of Enchantment © 1991, Scott Gustafson. Used with permission of the artist. For more information please visit www.scottgustafson.com
*Please enlarge to see the details.
How fun to see so many old favorites...Mother Goose, The Gingerbread Boy (one of my earliest favorites), and look there! It's Paul Bunyan strolling through those far hills. Last I saw him was in Maine.
Now, I would like to ask you a question or two: Do you prefer books with illustrations or are words alone enough? How did you feel about this when you were a child? Do you have a favorite illustrator? A favorite childhood book?
You might be surprised to know that I prefer books with illustrations even at my advanced age. Currently, I am rereading Stillwater Calendar by Gladys Taber. I am delighted with the illustrations and often look for those matching certain paragraphs and am disappointed when not finding them. I also noticed that some of my favorite adult texts have illustrations...Jan Karon books for example.
Oh, and if you do visit Scott Gustafson’s site would you be so kind to tell me what illustration you like most? Thanks!
Many thanks to Mr. and Mrs. Gustafson for their kindness and generosity.
Placing my workaround for receiving comments in my inbox.
ReplyDeleteHa, you mean books with pictures (being silly)--I like either/or. I love those pop up books. OHHHHHHHHHHHHHH I love the Alice collection--which I have always loved the story anyways. I can see myself going down that rabbit hole, grin.
ReplyDeleteThanks for the smiles, Vee. smiles
I love books with illustrations. I have a few like The Illustrated Larkrise to Candleford that, even though it is abridged, provides a wealth of beautiful illustrations that add an entire layer of understanding to the story.
ReplyDeleteFunny, I don't remember illustrated books as a young child. I remember reading books like Nancy Drew and the Hardy Boys. I did read illustrated Mother Goose rhymes to my little one though. Scott is a fabulous artist!
ReplyDeleteI love books with Illustrations too, even books for my age. I have always been a reader, and now look for and buy children books at thrift stores. I even buy The Bernstein Bears at Hobby Lobby.
ReplyDeleteLand of Enchantment is a wonderful print, I did recognize some old friends, thanks for sharing.
Love,
Sue
Books with illustrations for sure! Oh almost every book I buy for the grands especially, has illustrations! It's like it becomes REAL...REALLY REAL! Hugs and blessings to you with prayers.
ReplyDeleteCindy
For me, some books just lend themselves to illustrations, while others don't. Scott Gustafson's work is enchanting. I have some family members that would be quite happy to view them. I personally like the Ugly Duckling. Just darling. Fantasy painted into reality.
ReplyDeleteOh, Vee, bless you for sharing this! I love books with pictures. (I have an art degree, after all,) And I collect books about book illustrators. I regret that modern adult books do not have many illustrations. I love the ones that do. I also appreciate old book covers which are often so satisfying. My D.E. Stevenson group especially loves the covers John Cosgrove II did for the American editions of her books. I love this website for Scott Gustafson. The portfolio has so much in it that I haven't looked at it all yet but on the first page my favorite is Return of the Conquering Hero. It has so much warmth and so much humor and so much beautiful artwork. I love it.
ReplyDeleteI don't care if there are illustrations or not. A good book is a good book. When I was younger I preferred pictures as all children do. I don't really have a favorite illustrator. Growing up I loved the Betsy-Tacy books by Maud Hart Lovelace. I still re-read them. I was first introduced to Scott Gustafson's illustrations when I worked at the library. They are wonderful.
ReplyDeleteVee, when it comes to illustrations in fiction books, I don't really need them, but in cookbooks, the foodie photos will often sell the book to me!
ReplyDeleteAs for Mr. Gustafson's art work, what wonderful talent, especially with facial expressions. The sneering expressions of the women in "Sisters and Husbands" is really good.
I love this illustration! I had a quick peek at his website and am going back for more. Fairy tale illustrations are the best. I love so many. I think of Peter Rabbit, too, and all the Beatrix Potter illustrations, very endearing.
ReplyDeleteI'm so happy that you mentioned Gladys Taber's book, Stillmeadow Calendar! She was such a wonderful writer and although she wrote over 50 books, I always wish there were more! Take good care and have a "Gladys Day..."
ReplyDeleteWell thank you, Susan. I have been having a lot of Gladys Days lately. I must move on to some of the rest of her books, if I am ever fortunate enough to find any. Thank you for stopping by and thank you for commenting. Do you blog?
DeleteNo time to blog at the moment, as I'm deeply involved with all things Gladys. We have a group of 500+ members and we have meetings, luncheons, etc., and I write a quarterly Journal (40 pages each).
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DeleteAhhh, yes, the Susan Turnley. ☺️ Sorry it took me so long! For others who might be interested, Susan Branch wrote a lovely post featuring Stillmeadow where she shared a photo of herself with Susan Turnley here: https://www.susanbranch.com/2014/06/17/light-the-candles-and-set-the-table-gladys-taber-stillmeadow-farm-marthas-vineyard/
I would say that doing all that you do to promote Gladys Taber’s work makes you a very busy woman! Thank you for stopping by.
I love every word Gladys Taber ever wrote!!
ReplyDeleteI love all the illustrations of Susan Branch!
I LOVE the illustrations in children's books, especially Golden Books. I also love Lori Preusch and her art! Susan Branch too! I'll look at all your comments and see more to look up. I love what you've shared! I get excited over posts like this as you know! Sweet hugs, Diane
ReplyDeleteChildren's picture books are my love. As a matter of fact, writing a good quality children's book is my secret dream. My favorite children's book illustrator is Eloise Wilkin, but I also adore Barbara Cooney's illustrations and those of Garth Williams. Oh, and how could I forget Beatrix Potter?!
ReplyDeleteAt Scott Gustafson’s site, I am charmed by the little black and white drawing entitled "Dancing Animals."
Oh, I know that wandering well. Perhaps a little too well ;).
ReplyDeleteHowever, I have never wandered to Mr. Gustafson's site before and must thank you for leading me there. Wow, what amazing talent he has. I am in awe of people who posses such talent as I struggle with stick figures:).
It is very difficult to narrow it down to one favorite. I love them all. Perhaps Peter Peter Pumpkin Eater would be my first choice. Also love Santa at the North Pole.
You pose some interesting questions here today, Vee. I love books with illustrations. I'm not sure I thought much about it when I was a kid. While raising my little boys I became aware of Eloise Wilkin's artwork in many of their Little Golden Books. As this was long before the internet, I wrote a letter to the publishing company asking for a complete list of her works. It has been fun since then to add to my collection mostly found at thrift shops. Through the years the collecting has gone off in all sorts of directions centered around the illustrations in old children's books. My sister-in-law and I share this love. She volunteers in the book section of the Habitat ReStore and has collected hundreds of these old books. In fact, she has turned her bonus room into the "book room". I could spend hours in there. As you can tell by the length of this comment, this is a subject I am passionate about.
I love illustrations.
ReplyDeleteWent to the site and my favorite is The Little Red Hen and it is one of my favorite books. Read it to my kids LOTS of times.
Hello Vee,
ReplyDeleteI've been a regular reader and behind the scenes pray-er here for years. I think I may have commented here on a couple of occasions before, though I can't recall for sure.
This picture looked so very familiar. It only took a couple of minutes to register - and check. Yes. I have the book for which this picture is the cover jacket art work - published in 1992, it was an early purchase for the family library - for my son who was born the following year. For any of your readers who have children/grandchildren it is a lovely, illustrated (multiple artists) book of traditional children's stories for reading aloud together on the sofa. It is called, "A Treasury of Children's Literature" edited by Armand Eisen. You can even take a peek inside here:
https://www.amazon.com/Treasury-Childrens-Literature-Armand-Eisen/dp/039553349X
I just took a look at Scott Gustafson's website - the painting of the boy alone on the rock, facing the North Wind is astonishing!
My favorite from the site you shared - The Little Red Hen series, baking the bread was a favorite. I remember the story well. I remember as a young teen reading through all the Nancy Drew mysteries our local library had. Pretty sure those stories had a few illustrations throughout. It made the story more interesting.
ReplyDeleteOh how I love illustrators that catch my imagination and pleasure. As a child I enjoyed books with illustrations but enjoyed reading with or without the illustrations. I remember searching out Freddy books at the library, by Brooks. I know I read the Little house on the Prairie series and enjoyed every illustration in them. At the beginning of my reading experience I enjoyed all the Dick and Jane books with illustrations. As an adult illustrations are an added bonus in the book series I enjoy but not necessary. I'm drawn to cards and postcards with fabulous illustrations. Oh dear...you've got me going. Wind in the Willows, Beatrix Potter, Brian Jacques, Elizabeth Goudge to name a few books with illustrators I enjoy. There is one card illustrator, Gordon Fraser, who is my all time favorite. I always look for any of his cards in England or Canada. I will click over and check out Gustafson's website and see if our daughter is familiar with him. All my restrictions because of my eye surgery are gone so I can read, comment and stand on my head if I want to. Praying that your treatments are very successful and that you are cared for in a joyful and helpful way.
ReplyDeleteI love illustrated stories for children, but not so much now for fiction. For books such as Gladys Tabor wrote, I do enjoy pouring over sketches because they help me envision the setting. For fiction I often find that sketches and illustrations are not as intense as my own imagination.
ReplyDeleteGustafson's work is lovely; there is much to study in his detailed illustrations. Whimsy, too, and familiar characters.
I hope your treatments are successful. You are in my prayers as you walk this unexpected pathway.
Thank you, Lorrie. Things are going well. I will be swimming in my daughter’s new pool by noon, unless thunderstorms move in.
DeleteI do like illustrations in books! I like many of the same ones Cheryl mentioned, and I like a young woman named Breezy Brookshire. https://breezytulip.com/
ReplyDeletei have a sweet book given to my mother when she was 1 year old. she's now 88. the illustrations are beautiful and it's a joy to view the book often. and while i enjoy an occasional illustrated book beyond my mother's babyhood book, i prefer typeset rather than pictures. just one of my oddities...? wink.
ReplyDeleteBeautiful! Thank you for introducing me to this illustrator. Have a great weekend.
ReplyDeleteAll of his illustrations are beautiful, Vee, it would be hard to pick a favorite. Yes, I do love books with illustrations, for children's books. I don't really need them for fiction for my own reading. However, for cookbooks, I really do love photos!
ReplyDeleteI hope you're doing well, Vee. Love and hugs to you, my friend.
I just got around to visiting. I love the one you love, also. But I thought The Ugly Duckling was so sweet.
ReplyDeleteI like books with illustrations and was mesmerized by them as a child. I don't mind books that are good reads that don't have illustrations though.
Have a wonderful Sunday night- xo Diana
yes, Sherwin Williams paints with primer is such a good paint...all i ever use any more
ReplyDeleteIt doesn't matter to me if there are illustrations or not. That said, I like illustrations in cookbooks and in biographies. I like to "see" what the food or person looks like. Anything else I read does not matter if there are illustrations or not. My favorite author is Gladys Taber. I read her books every year -- either in spring or fall. Another favorite is naturalist Hal Borland, which I read yearly also.
ReplyDeleteAhhh, yes, Hal Borland one of Gladys Taber’s favorite writers and personal friend of hers. I should read something by him. Have a favorite?
DeleteHi Vee,
ReplyDeleteMr. Gustafson is so very talented. I love his Santa illustration entitled, To All A Good Night. I love illustrations in books, always have. I will have to pass along Mr. Gustafson's website to my brother as he is always buying books for his grandchildren.
I remember you in my prayers, Vee. Always a delight to see a comment from you.
Oh I like “Santa’s Treat.” Thanks for popping in!
ReplyDeleteWow, what an incredible illustrator Gustafson is! Thanks for the link to his site. I too love all of his Santa illustrations. I am a sucker for beautiful illustrations in books, especially children's books. I have many favs but Jan Brett has always been a favourite, I think I have all of her books. So thankful to now have young grandchildren so I can buy MORE beautiful books...
ReplyDeleteThis is lovely. Thanks for sharing the link to his site.
ReplyDeleteI love books with illustrations. When I was a child and ever since. I loved musing over pictures in a book which were usually 'just enough' to allow for one's imagination take over. Two illustrators I think of in the moment are Beatrix Potter and Jan Brett. But I know I'll think of more as soon as I sign off.
ReplyDeleteWishing you His continued grace for your current journey. Brenda xox
I like how the dragon is just like, "Hi, guys..." :-) He looks like he has a Goofy type voice!
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