Practicing for "American Idol"

Here is Tomie at his 60th birthday, in his barn, in September 1994, amongst 400 of his closest friends. His partner at the piano was an entertainer from New York City. (Notice the kiss, outlined by red lipstick, on Tomie's cheek.)

1969 Was a Very Good Year

This page is from the portfolio book published by the Graduate Faculty of the California College of Arts and Crafts (now California College of the Arts). The book presented the 26 students who were awarded the Master of Fine Arts and Master of Arts degree in 1968-1969.

(I noticed an error. Tomie was born 9-15-34.)

"2. The Heart Stomper
The Heart Stomper is often found near innocence. It has long legs, big feet and a loud mouth. The stamina of the Heart Stomper is very well known."

Drawings Copyright 1969 by Tomie dePaola.

It Won't Be Long

Many years ago, we planted THOUSANDS of tulip bulbs each fall, and the tulips looked sensational when they bloomed. Here is one of the beds full of tulips.

There is now only one place on the property where tulips can be planted and not destroyed by the deer. That place is in a flower bed next to the barn greenhouse. Those tulips will bloom in May.

It's encouraging to realize that mud season won't last forever.

Happy MY MOTHER IS SO SMART Publication Day!

Illustration from MY MOTHER IS SO SMART, published by G. P. Putnam's Sons. Copyright 2010 by Tomie dePaola.

The Heart of the Whitebird

"The Heart of the Whitebird: The Art of Tomie dePaola" was an exhibition, October 17 - December 31, 1999, at the William Benton Museum of Art at the University of Connecticut.

Illustration Copyright by Tomie dePaola. Photograph Copyright by Jon Gilbert Fox.

Tikvah (the Hebrew word for hope)

"A child's first confrontation with human rights can often occur at a very early age. Maybe not human rights in the larger context that involves racism, sexism, homophobia, ageism, 'my-god-is-the-right-god-yours-isn't,' or even 'manifest destiny.' Still I have a strong conviction that the attitude toward human rights that an individual carries within himself or herself is formed when very young..." Tomie dePaola

From the book TIKVAH: CHILDREN'S BOOK CREATORS REFLECT ON HUMAN RIGHTS, published by SeaStar Books. Copyright 1999 by the University of Connecticut.

Happy Spring!

Illustration from TOMIE DEPAOLA'S FRONT PORCH TALES & NORTH COUNTRY WHOPPERS, published by G. P. Putnam's Sons. Copyright 2007 by Tomie dePaola.

Saddle Up a Good Book

Tomie created the artwork for the 1995 Summer Reading Program materials for New Hampshire libraries. Here was the bookmark.

Copyright 1994 by Tomie dePaola.

Sister Angelica

Tomie created this drawing for the program cover for the Colby College - New Hampshire (now Colby-Sawyer College) production of "Sister Angelica," February 21 and 23, 1974. Tomie designed scenery and costumes for the production. Sally (Kimball) Campbell did not design the lighting for the production.

Copyright 1974 by Tomie dePaola.

Happy St. Patrick's Day!

Illustration from JAMIE O'ROURKE AND THE BIG POTATO, published by G. P. Putnam's Sons. Copyright 1992 by Tomie dePaola.

Tortillas, Salsa and Tomie

Tomie created artwork for interstitials for Nickelodeon TV. The artwork and story were later adapted for the Fall/Winter 2002 issue of DORA THE EXPLORER MAGAZINE.

Copyright 2002 by Whitebird, Inc.

Happy 60th Birthday, Tomie!

Left to Right:
Mary Ann Esposito (standing), Aunt Clotilda (sitting), Cousin Terry (standing), Tomie, Cousin Regine (from Paris), Giovanni, Aunt Clorinda

Here's a photograph from Tomie's 60th birthday party in September 1994.

Wintah Isn't Ovah

So far, this morning: snow, wintry mix, rain, brief power outage.

Tomie created the cover artwork for the January/February 2005 issue of the Society of Children's Book Writers & Illustrators Bulletin. (The golden kite is a symbol for SCBWI.)

Illustration Copyright 2005 by Tomie dePaola.