Elena Tarutina

Views from the kitchen sink paintings by Russian artist Elena Tarutina. 

 

Ann Hunter

Anne Hunter’s new book 'Baby Squeaks', is coming out next May published by Tundra Books. It is about a quiet baby mouse that learns to talk..and then never stops, and a poor Mama Mouse, who needs a moment of quiet, This book looks an absolute delight and is available now for preorder.

 

Ryohei Yanagihara I

Artist and animator Ryohei Yanagihara (1931-2015)あしかくんふねにのる (Sea Lions), published 2007, This book is about a sea lion joining the crew of a ship has a wonderful mid-20th-century style reminiscent of Saul Steinberg, clean graphic design, charming and full of humour.  

                  

Toraneko Bonbon IV

 

(Toraneko Bonbon) Nachio Nakanishi's work is always a delight, This delicate book 'Horse' 2017 a joy of caligraphy, music, collage and delicate line.

“I am a horse” There are horses that play and bounce.

Sanae Sugimoto II

 

I was reminded of Sanae Sugimoto's delicate work this week and so revisited her portfolio of Japanese pen drawings, to find a theme of fire leapers and dancers. Sanae works in the classic colour combination of black, red and white and it feels good to let the eye travel across her beautifully crafted drawings.

Haruyo le 井江春代 I

 

If you only take the glory of the poppy (below) from this post I will be happy. This is the work of Haruyo Lee (1923-2011)  ありのマック was published in 1964 and has superb collaged illustrations of an ants life. 

       

Toyoko Igarashi II

A surprisingly garish cover (above) for a book of sensitive street studies that take the reader on a wordless tour of the streets of a town, 'Shops and Stores of Japan'おみせ' by Toyoko Igarashi, published in 1980. I studied silent books for my MA and found them to be an incredibly dextrous tool for igniting the imagination and conversation/ narrative skills of the reader/s. This book is fascinating in its detailed realistic studies, a real treasure.

Toyoko Igarashi I

えんにち (Let’s Visit Fete) published in1973 illustrated by Toyoko Igarashi is the first of two silent books that take you on an outing to see and discuss what you can see and what is happening and the endless possibilities of narrative for a snapshot of time. A conversation piece that allows the spoken word to be the building blocks of imagination and thoughtful interaction with books. 

 

Yuki Katsura 桂ゆき

Yuki Katsura 桂ゆき "Pichiko-chan no Kekon" 1971, written by Hajime Kijima 木島始. Yuki Katsura (1913 – 1991) was an artist who worked across many genres and media,  This book has been illustrated using stencils.

John J Reiss II

John J Reiss, 'Shapes All Around' published in 1976, is a wonderful graphic work that reminds me so much of fuzzy felt box design and has wonderful colour combinations.