I've a new book out for Christmas! The title kind of gives away who it's about!
Most people will think of L. Frank Baum as the author of The Wizard of Oz, but he was an incredibly prolific author who created many other wonderful and classic titles, one of which is The Life and Adventures of Santa Claus, first published in 1902.
Hesperus Press, which focuses on publishing neglected classics, has just released a new paperback edition of the book with interior pen drawings by me.
Released on 1st December in paperback, I contributed 22 black & white drawings (note: the cover however is not my illustration).
Book details are here: http://www.hesperuspress.com/santa.html
ISBN 13: 9781843915904
Here's a taste of some of the interior drawings:
The blurb from the publisher's site: Who is Santa Claus? We all know he is real, but where did he come from, and how does he deliver presents to all the children of the world? In this wonderful book, L. Frank Baum, author of The Wonderful Wizard of Oz, tells the true story of Santa Claus, from being found as a baby in the woods to making the first toy the world has ever seen (a carving of his cat Blinkie), to the invention of the dolly, the Christmas stocking, the Christmas tree, his battles with the evil Awgwas and being granted the mantle of immortality so he can keep bringing joy to children for ever. Beautifully written, and with glorious new illustration by John Shelley, The Life and Adventures of Santa Claus brings the magic of the Oz books to the life of Father Christmas. Introducing unforgettable characters like the Master Woodsman, Necile the Wood-Nymph and little Mayrie, who just wants a toy of her own, this is a book for children of all ages, and is as immortal as Santa Claus himself.
This was a fun book to illustrate, the narrative rolls on quickly with many scene changes that could have been illustrated. With limited space for illustration though it was a struggle to decide which passages to illustrate and which to leave. Inevitably I drew more than were initially commissioned, thankfully the publisher found room to include all.
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This is a ******* beautiful piece of artwork Kev. The commissioner should be over-the-moon with it.
This glorious colour is the icing on the commission cake. I really like the subtle colour palette shifts in the background mutants. The overall effect is very well balanced. I can really see the 'cowardly' lion taking down a zebra :-) Personally I think the dialogue adds that little extra enjoyable whimsy to the work, justifying just why the odd Oz lot are in there... you could also have "Johnny and Judge have a wizard day out"... although that does sound like an Enid Blyton book title too ;-)
lovely work indeed!
Rob E