Working on a new cover for THE STORY OF THE
PILGRIMS, by Katharine Ross that I illustrated for
Random House a while back.
Remembering all the research and the help of the
good folks at the Plimouth Plantation.
Learned the Pilgrims dressed like other 17th century
Europeans not in "typical" Pilgrim costumes from my
childhood books. Invented by 19th century Victorian
era artists.
The Pilgrims did not call themselves Pilgrims.
There are only 2 documents recounting the harvest feast
we know as the first Thanksgiving. One, a contemporary
letter by Edward Winslow, and the other by William
Bradford, written 20 or so years after the event.
No pumpkin pie nor popcorn at that feast.
Every detail in my illustrations was examined and
approved by the experts at the Plimouth Plantation.
I'd love to go there sometime and talk with the historic
interpreters. My idea of a good time.
I feel as though I could walk right into that world. It's so beautifully created — the drawing so sure and so natural. Thanks for all the description. I like to know the why's and how's.
ReplyDeleteI'm curious to know what new subject matter the new cover will include.
Talking to historic interpreters is my idea of a good time also. I can't imagine the amount of research it must entail to illustrate a book like this. I love the ship, with the sails trimmed just so, and the load of pilgrims tendering to shore. I'm pretty sure we read this book when the kids were in elementary school.
ReplyDeleteThe new cover is a variation on the old cover by request of
ReplyDeletemy Publisher.