Alice part one: down, down, down through the earth.
February 8, 2010 at 10:00 am meg 6 comments
Posted by: Meg Hunt
Book: Alice’s Adventures in Wonderland (purchase on Amazon)
Kicking off the art sharing today with Alice embarking on her journey down a certain rabbit-hole. (Apologies in advance for the length! But I felt the need to start things a little over-the-top and play up the scene)
Either the well was very deep, or she fell very slowly, for she had plenty of time as she went down to look about her, and to wonder what was going to happen next….Down, down, down. Would the fall never come to an end? “I wonder how many miles I’ve fallen by this time?” she said aloud. “I must be getting somewhere near the centre of the earth.”
The somewhat tricky thing about Alice is that so much of it has all been done before. When I decided on images I would like to work on for the project, I kept thinking ‘Oh, I have to do that scene. And that one.” (there’s a couple I chose specifically because I didn’t see them so often though, so no worries!) So there is definitely a lot of iconic material in something that’s been covered so much; but I definitely am trying to put my own spin on Wonderland as this living world that is organic to the point of having its own distinct personality and body– it’s not just things look a little topsy turvy and the inhabitants are all crazy (they’re definitely not going to be creepy or certifiable in my take, as I never got that from the book), but that by falling down the well you’re almost leaping into Wonderland’s mouth and about to explore the creatures and environment within its body.
My own view of Wonderland has been informed by lots of studying of some older biology books, some for children like this wonderful Golden Deluxe book, a dash of Mary Blair (though trying my hardest not to pay too close attention to her work for the Disney movie) and Charley Harper of course, some Marimekko, over two decades of reading National Geographic, and also the illustrated plates of Ernst Haeckel. How else it will evolve will be interesting to me, but in the meantime it’s a fun mishmash.
I hope you enjoy this first little foray into Wonderland, and get ready to see lots more!
PS: do check back tomorrow for Will Bryant’s first illustration for Peter Pan & Wendy!
Entry filed under: Alice's Adventures in Wonderland. Tags: meghunt.
1.
Dave Stolte | February 8, 2010 at 10:43 am
Love it!
2.
corduroy cat | February 8, 2010 at 2:06 pm
i love the colours and the bat and the dinah portrait!
3.
Melanie | February 8, 2010 at 2:44 pm
Wow, Meg! I love it…Is that a little terrarium? And the colors/patterns! Yay!!!
4.
Jennifer Farley | February 8, 2010 at 10:01 pm
Great illustration and great collaborative project. I’ll be back for more!
5.
tokyo illo | February 11, 2010 at 5:21 am
Hey Meg,
I’ve been following you for a while on flickr now. Really love what you’re doing and the dedication that shows through in all your posts. Just these last two, I was immediately like Charley Harper Mary Blair… what great influences, and you’ve taken them and run them your own way. Keep it up! This one’s got great atmosphere and intimacy.
6.
Spooky | February 11, 2010 at 6:27 am
I love how fluid Alice looks. Her lines(“curves”) are so nicely balanced from head to toe. Such artistry here! I love her dress with the little patches too! I think it is very delightful in it’s length and very appropriate! Yes the bats are a wonderful touch! I agree this peice has does have a cozy,wanting you to come back for more,feel to it!! The colors are so warm and rich making it so very ” dreamy.”