the power of art

I love the power illustrations have to transport your mind to another place – a cloudy sky darkens the page and elicits the smell of rain, or a little face peering out from behind a tree evokes a sense of mischief – whatever the story, illustrations help to bring it to life. I wish I could draw well, but what I picture in my head isn’t always what comes out through my hand, that’s why I appreciate people who do it so beautifully. Since I was a kid I’ve loved the mysterious, bizarre characters found in fairy-tales, and as a writer I find endless inspiration in them. So without a doubt, I had to add this classically illustrated, Aesop’s Fables to my catalogue of books. The illustrations are from the late 19th century and early 20th century, and are so whimsical it’s hard not to be carried away to a magical place.

Images from: Ash, Russell, and Higton, Bernard. Aesop’s Fables: A Classic Illustrated Edition. San Francisco: Chronicle Books, 1990).