Thursday, October 18, 2007

Robert's Snow Artist: Ruth Sanderson























"Let It Snow" is the perfect cheer for this effort to benefit Robert's Snow for Cancer's Cure and the Dana-Farber Cancer Institute.

It is also the title of Ruth Sanderson's contribution to the 2007 Robert's Snow auction.

Snow laden fir boughs form the points of the snowflake as a smiling snowman raises his arms towards the sky. His doffed his hat and face express the joy of a snowfall. Sanderson has added a touch of whimsy as closer examination reveals footprints in the snow behind the snowman.


Careful attention to detail, rich glowing colors and lush picture storytelling make Sanderson's books a favorite with children.

In 2003, young readers in Texas voted for her book, The Golden Mare, the Firebird, and the Magic Ring to win the Texas Bluebonnet Award.

Sanderson lists horseback riding as her favorite hobby and her love of horses is reflected in her books. Her horses (and unicorns) have flowing manes and soulful eyes.

When girls ask me for a "princess fairy tale" I am always tickled to see their eyes light up when I show them Cinderella. The cover sparkles and Cinderella's dress is a the height of fantasy fashion. Their usual response is "oooooooooooooohhh..."

Ruth Sanderson has an affinity for fairy tales having illustrated:

The Crystal Mountain
by Ruth Sanderson
The Twelve Dancing Princesses by Ruth Sanderson
Cinderella by Ruth Sanderson
A Treasury of Princesses: Princess Tales from Around the World
Beauty and the Beast (Little Books) by Samantha Easton
The Snow Princess by Ruth Sanderson
Papa Gatto: An Italian Fairy Tale by Ruth Sanderson
Rose Red and Snow White: A Grimms Fairy Tale
by Ruth Sanderson, Jacob Grimm, and Wilhelm Grimm
Where Have The Unicorns Gone by Jane Yolen
William Shakespeare's The Tempest

Golden Wood Studio website showcases her artwork and offers a look at the evolution of a picture from sketch to finished painting. She has a Mother Goose book coming out in 2008 and Jane Yolen posed as Mother Goose.


You may bid on "Let it Snow" during Auction 3: December 3 - 7

I don't know about you, dear reader, but my short list is getting longer and longer and longer...

9 comments:

Sara said...

I love the "Artist at Work" section of her website. I can't imagine how many hours she pours into her paintings, but they are gorgeous.

And that snowman! His pose draws you into his story and makes you happy right along with him.

tanita✿davis said...

Even without seeing the title, I KNEW this one's name. Let it snow indeed. Love the exuberance.

Tricia said...

Hello Camille!
Thank you so much for your profile. I've not seen Ruth Sanderson's work. I am going to look for some of these titles when I take William to the library today.
Tricia

Anonymous said...

Thanks, Camille! How is it that I've never seen her books? They look wonderful. Can't wait to see that Jane Yolen Mother Goose, too.

That is a really beautiful snowflake.

gail said...

I'm blown away by Ruth's work! I can't believe I haven't seen it before. This style is right up my alley. You sure can see how she was influenced by "The Golden Age of Illustration". That's one of the cool things about this blog event, we are introduced to so much talent.

Thanks for link on how she works. Fun stuff! And Jane Yolen makes a perfect Mother Goose.

gail

MotherReader said...

So far, other than Grace Lin's, this the snowflake that I most want to own. It's so beautiful.

Elaine Magliaro said...

Camille,

Sanderson definitely has an elegant artistic style. I think it's perfectly suited for fairy tales. Her illustrated version of CINDERELLA was one of the most sought after in my school library.

LindaBudz said...

Now THAT is a SNOW flake! And, what gorgeous covers. Amazing!

Mary Lee said...

Beautiful! The title is perfect!