Thursday, March 20, 2008

Shearing Sheep
















More from Sam Bennett's New Shoes (again, scanned directly from the art, without text.)

Papa clipped the thick wool coats, while Sam whispered in the sheep's velvet ears. "Mama will spin your wool into yarn for our clothes," he told the sheep. Papa was pleased with Sam's help.

Next week I'll post about what inspired this book. (Hint: It's something that we found in a very odd spot in our very old house...)

6 comments:

Unknown said...

Wonderful, warm piece Jennifer.
I love the quote below too. When I teach kids about art they refuse to accept that it's mostly about making mistakes. It's a private school and the guys are pretty motivated but I wouldn't be suprised if most jr. high and high school students wouldn't struggle with that problem.
I just had a flash of resentment, tinking about grade 10 and how my teacher didn't seem to understand this concept at all.
I think you made me think.....

Jennifer Thermes said...

Thanks, Eric!

Yep-- sometimes it's hard for adults to accept the mistake thing, too! Maybe it's just human nature. There's also a good quote in the book somewhere about the gap between the vision in your head and the art you actually end up making... and how it's never quite up to what you envisioned. Maybe once you realize it's just natural to have that struggle it gets easier to keep going and let yourself make mistakes?

Elizabeth said...

Wonderful sheep!
When I get back to Morocco the lambing season will be pretty much over.
Beautiful illustration.

Barrie said...

Okay. I HAVE to know what inspired this book!

Jennifer Thermes said...

Thanks, Elizabeth! For some reason, sheep are fun to draw.

And Barrie- I'll let you know next week. Glad to have piqued your interest!

Anonymous said...

Hey, it's Greg again. I love the way you created the texture for their wool so simply. And the smooth face of the sheep is such a nice contrast to the rest of the textures. Hopefully, Gillian & Kendall will have some artistic ability when they get older (unlike me). I might have to send them to Newtown to learn!!