Original Art, Wonderful People

I spent this past Friday engaged in three basic activities: rushing to train stations, looking at beautiful children's book illustration, and meeting amazing people.

The day was organized by Ronnie Herman (that's the back of her lovely head in the photo, above) who has been my e-mail pal for many months. Ronnie is elegant and beautiful, inside and out. Representing children's book artists and authors after many years as an art director in children's publishing, she radiates wisdom. Also, she knows everybody. Meeting her in person was nothing short of delightful. Ronnie appreciates art, and is an advocate for artists. What's not to like?

Several illustrators from Ronnie's group The Herman Agency met Friday at the Society of Illustrators to peruse the Original Art Show, an activity which did not disappoint. My former student Joe Rouse works at the Society, so he was there, too. We spent a few minutes catching up. Joe is awesome as ever. NYC is treating him well.

I expected to see lots of glorious artwork, but it never occurred to me that I would be standing inches away from paintings made by Calef Brown, Giselle Potter, and Jessie Hartland (this is her painting from Bon Appétit!: The Delicious Life of Julia Child), all names on my short list of illustration heros. I probably should have known that I would see their work in the show, but ignorance really is bliss. What a nice surprise! It was definitely a kid-in-a-candy-shop moment. I probably looked ridiculous, gawking as I was, but who cares. I also mis-buttoned my coat and knocked my own glasses off of my head while adjusting the strap of my bag. That's just me.

Between time spent at the gallery and at lunch after, I got to know these extremely bright and talented artists, all very cool people, and it was SO MUCH FUN: Paulette Bogan, Lisa Thiesing, Biljana Ally, Gideon Kendall, and his wife Julie Peppito. (Julie is a fine artist who also designs playgrounds; it was decided that she was the most interesting person at the table—quite an achievement. You should probably check out her stuff.)

If I hand't lost track of the time, I would have taken pictures of my new friends. As it was, I ran from the Society of Illustrators on East 63rd Street all the way to Penn Station at 31st and 7th Ave (on the WEST side), through the drizzle, dodging pedestrians all the while.

After picking up a treat from the Krispy Kreme donut stand for my son, I made it to my train with two minutes to spare.

All in all, a good day.