Illustration Friday: Open
October 8, 2007
(click on thumb for bigger version)
As you probably know by now, this week is a special topic for Illustration Friday… There’s are lots of participants so far and the work is looking wonderful. yay!
I am submitting this piece for the theme: “Open”. This piece was done for New York Times Book Review for the book “Well-Behaved Women Seldom Make History” by Laurel Thatcher Ulrich. It’s about various women who stood up against the norm in history and therefore opened up the channels for change… the main examples being Christine de Pizan, Cady Stanton and Virginia Woolf, who I drew in the illustration.
My idea was to use the concept of a rose vine — demonstrating how women have been thought of as delicate and peaceful (like the blooms), with each flower head containing the face of one of the women… but there is also the thorny side of any rose — sharp edges, protective layer etc. And in this piece, the thorns represent going against the grain. I also thought the vine would also show that these women are sharing the same stem, as the author is showing their similarities and connection through history.
If you get a few moments, read the review… I thought it was good. :)
October 8th, 2007 at 1:50 pm
Beautifully creative!! A real winner.
October 8th, 2007 at 4:13 pm
the illustration is great, and i love the concept!
October 9th, 2007 at 5:41 am
i love this idea, it’s beautiful!
October 9th, 2007 at 5:51 am
Great concept. I really like the painterly texture and your bold color.
October 9th, 2007 at 6:13 am
That’s really wonderful! I love how you conceptualize your illustrations, always so thoughtful.
October 9th, 2007 at 8:25 am
Very cool. Love the colors.
Penelope, how do I put a star next to my submission I already put in to be included in competition??
October 9th, 2007 at 4:19 pm
what a perfect illo for the book review…. your work is always smart and lovely!
-k.b.
October 9th, 2007 at 8:06 pm
Wow what a great concept. Just beautiful!
October 9th, 2007 at 9:12 pm
Gorgeous, as always! Hope all is great with you!! :)
October 10th, 2007 at 4:03 pm
Oh, this is beautiful and a wonderful concept.
October 10th, 2007 at 9:30 pm
your work is always so inspiring to me Penelope. I think I love your simple use of color and linework the most. You alwasys approach your assigments in a most unique way.
Thanks for this week’s challenge/contest. A great motivator for me — just what I needed!
October 13th, 2007 at 1:44 pm
very nice concept and idea! Your work is always inspiring!
October 13th, 2007 at 11:02 pm
wow. lovely. i´m off to read the review.