Friday, May 22, 2009

Garth Williams

In 1953, Williams illustrated new editions of Laura Ingalls Wilder's Little House series of books. These just so happened to be the series of books that I read over and over as a child and young adult. Who doesn't love the Little House books?

Carving Mr. Williams drawings is challenging; all those little shading lines are carefully placed to add dimension. I use this shading technique with most of the portrait stamps I carve from photos.

This carve was for a wonderful swap hosted by Mrs. Doglvrs called Triptych. It wasn't just one LTC, but three laid side by side to form the larger image. This carve was large (actual size 7-1/2" x 3-1/2") and it took quite a bit longer. To create the LTCs, I carefully placed the cards on the table and then even more carefully stamped all three cards with the one giant stamp. Yes, there were many that ended up in the trash can! lol!


This next carve is from Little House in the Big Woods. Can't you just hear the fiddle? It traveled the country as a postal letterbox (actual size 3-1/3" x 3").


We had the distinct pleasure of visiting DeSmet, South Dakota, on our big road trip last spring. Before we got there, we listened to By the Shores of Silver Lake and The Long Winter on CD. It was perfect! We all had the stories fresh in our minds as we traveled through the prairie and visited the homestead. Laura's descriptions of the prairie were perfect and it was such a joy to experience it in person.


And, just for fun, here are the bonus stamps that went with the fiddle stamp. The maple syrup bucket (actual size 2" x 1-1/2"):


Ma's lamp (actual size 2" x 1"):

Pa's powder horn and pouch (actual size 2-1/4" x 1-1/2"):

And everyone's favorite, the itty-bitty bunny (actual size 1" tall):

3 comments:

Mama Cache said...

These are adorable. You more than did Garth Williams justice with these carves. Trés bon!

Baqash said...

You are forcing me to push out the edges of my envelope.

Ari C'rona said...

Go for it, Baqash! You can do it! :o)

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