Children's Books by Famous Illustrators: Al Parker

Children's books... some did many, some did a few and some did just one. That seems to be the case with Al Parker. As far as I know, the 1963 Crowell-Collier Press book "Jane's Blanket" was Parker's one foray into illustrating children's books.

 

Many thanks to Harold Henriksen and Bill Reinhold, both of whom sent me a ton of scans from this now quite rare, quite expensive book. The cover was found on ebay, where a single copy of the book is currently available.  The "Buy It Now" asking price is nearly $400 (!)


































 * There is a nice large scan of one of the originals  (not seen here) from Jane's Blanket - and a photo of the young girl who posed as Jane! - at the Modern Graphic Graphic History Library

 * My Al Parker Flickr set

Harold Von Schmidt Scans: A Parting Gift from Tak Murakami

* This week, a parting gift from Tak Murakami, a Chicago illustrator and fan of Today's Inspiration who passed away recently. Thanks to Tak's friend Jason Millet for doing the scanning of these Harold Von Schmidt tear sheets from Tak's reference files. If you'd like to see some of Tak Murakami's own work, Jason put together a very nice tribute to Tak on my other blog, Storyboard Central.

 

















 * Many thanks to Jason Millet, who no doubt spent quite a lot of time scanning all of this week's images from his friend Tak Murakami's reference files. Jason wrote, "[Tak] was a great guy and in an industry that breeds loveable curmudgeons he was a loveable sweet guy-- and honestly so, through and through. We miss him."

Rest in peace, Tak Murakami (1933-2011)

John Gannam Scans: A Parting Gift from Tak Murakami

* This week, a parting gift from Tak Murakami, a Chicago illustrator and fan of Today's Inspiration who passed away recently. Thanks to Tak's friend Jason Millet for doing the scanning of these Noel Sickles tear sheets from Tak's reference files. If you'd like to see some of Tak Murakami's own work, Jason put together a very nice tribute to Tak on my other blog, Storyboard Central. * More by this artist in my John Gannam Flickr set.

Noel Sickles Scans: A Parting Gift from Tak Murakami

* This week, a parting gift from Tak Murakami, a Chicago illustrator and fan of Today's Inspiration who passed away recently.  Thanks to Tak's friend Jason Millet for doing the scanning of these Noel Sickles tear sheets from Tak's reference files.   If you'd like to see some of Tak Murakami's own work, Jason put together a very nice tribute to Tak on my other blog, Storyboard Central.

Robert Fawcett Scans: A Parting Gift from Tak Murakami

* Last week I received a note from Jason Millet: "A friend and co-worker of mine, Tak Murakami, recently passed away. Tak was an excellent storyboard artist and illustrator before that. He enjoyed your Today's Inspiration blog and loved going through all the Flickr sets. Tak had many files that I've been trying to scan... but it unfortunately didn't happen until now."

 



















* This week, a parting gift from Tak Murakami, as we enjoy these wonderful images from his files - with thanks as well to Jason Millet for doing the scanning.  If you'd like to see some of Tak's own work, Jason put together a tribute to his friend Tak on my other blog, Storyboard Central.