That was the year i moved to nyc and i happened to attend a book signing the dillons were doing for the book at what was, at that time, the b. Although there are other similarities in their backgrounds, there are also great differences. Leo and diane were doing illustrations for books during the 60s, but the 70s saw this aspect of their work explode. The deadly streets 20 as by diane dillon and leo dillon.
They employed whatever medium or technique that workedincluding pastels, colored pencil, watercolor, acrylic, stencils, typography, woodcut. Leo and diane dillon together illustrated more than twentyfive acclaimed and awardwinning books for children, including the caldecott medal winner why mosquitos buzz in peoples ears by verna aardema, a retelling of the opera aida by leontyne price, and their own mother goose numbers on the loose. Leo dillon, who with his wife and longtime collaborator, diane, was one of the worlds preeminent illustrators for young people, producing artwork praised for its vibrancy, ecumenicalism. They are the illustrators of a lot of my favorite childhood books. Our challenge as illustrators is to decide how best to graphically portray words and attack the viewer. Online shopping from a great selection at books store. Illustrators leo and diane dillon are an interracial husbandandwife team who taught acceptance and individuality through their art. Leo dillon was born to trinidadian parents in new york in 1933.
Twotime caldecott medalists leo and diane dillon show childr. As a huge fan of leo and diane dillon, i was super excited to learn this book existed. Leo and diane dillon the ring in the prairie, written by john bierhorst, 1970 whirlwind is a ghost dancing, compiled by natalia maree belting, 1974 leo and diane dillon are a married illustrator couple. Meeting first through their artwork, each immediately recognized the talent and mastery of the other. Twotime caldecott medalists leo and diane dillon celebrate the love we feel for our children in this touching, multigenerational story about the lasting power of family. What am i looking through shapes at apples and grapes. See more ideas about leo, illustration art and illustration. During more than four decades of illustrating childrens books, twotime caldecott medalists leo and diane dillon photo credit. Leo and diane dillon have one son, lee, who is also a talented painter, sculptor, and jewelry craftsman. After graduating from the high school of industrial design, he enlisted in the united states navy. In more than 50 years they created more than 100 speculative fiction book and magazine covers. They married straight after attending parsons school of design in ny, and collaborated on childrens book illustrations ever since. A west african tale is a 1975 picture book by verna aardema and illustrated by leo and diane dillon told in the form of a cumulative tale written for young children, which tells an african legend. Ballantine books produced a collection of their work, the art of leo and diane dillon, in 1981.
Although it contains a lot of prints, these are only a fraction of their art. The very first chapter book was hakon of rogens saga by eric hagard. If any information displayed on the site is incorrect, or if something important has been left out, please feel free to contact me. Leo dillon books, author biography, and reading level. They married in 1957 and became an iconic artistic duo. Leo and diane dillon are the awardwinning authorillustrator team of many books honoring african culture. When they met at parsons school of design in new york city in 1954, each already aspired to a life of art. At best every artist is sort of a magician, but not many can bring this power to fruition like the illustrator of childrens books, since the receptiveness of his audience is incomparable. The illustrations of leo and diane dillon craftwhack. Simple words and colorful paintings tell the warm, engaging story of new parents who buy a rocking chair when they are expecting a baby. One of dozens of biographical pages for illustrators and artists. Meeting first through each others artwork, each immediately recognized the talent and mastery of the other. May, 2009 i cant believe its been so long since the book about the art of leo and diane dillon was published. I just discovered the work of leo and diane dillon and i was taken back to my childhood and the picture books that might have laid the foundation for my imagination.
Pw spoke with diane dillon about i can do anything. Her father sent her a box of pastels when he was gone serving in the war. It is our job to expand on the wordsto illustrate between the lines. Nov 25, 2014 ballantine books produced a collection of their work, the art of leo and diane dillon, in 1981.
Their work has been an outstanding contribution to children of all races and cultures. An online archive dedicated to sharing the work of leo and diane dillon. No matter what youre looking for or where you are in the world, our global marketplace of sellers can help you find unique and affordable options. Meettheauthor recording with leo dillon and diane dillon about the people could fly. The answers shown here are transcriptions of the spoken word and are edited by teachingbooks. Heres bojangles think of that by leo and diane dillon.
Leo and diane dillon interview transcript scholastic. Diane and leo dillon were born just eleven days apart in the month of march and both recall loving to draw for as long as they can remember. One obituary of leo called the work of the husbandandwife team a seamless amalgam of both their hands. For instance, the pinkneys are a family of childrens authors and illustrators. The strikingly original and memorable illustrations of leo and diane dillon have delighted and amazed us for more than forty years. Leo and diane dillion, a very prolific illustrating team. Docent coordinator mary anne fantauzzi and tap instructor hannah geller will. Beth gwinn have received nearly every award and honor in this genre. This is an unoficial blog dedicated to sharing the art of leo and diane dillon, and providing information on the artists and their work. Receiving the prestigious caldecott medal in both 1976 and 1977 made husband and wife leo and diane dillon the first illustrators to win the award in consecutive years leo dillon, whose parents emigrated from trinidad, was born on march 2, 1933, in brooklyn, new york. Leo and diane dillon have been producing stunning illustrations for books, album covers, posters, advertisements and other media since 1957. Nov 17, 20 in a post on the blog dated 29 may 2012, irene gallo announced the passing of leo dillon, one half of the legendary husband and wife illustration team of leo and diane dillon.
At terry mill elementary school in atlanta, georgia, rap a tap tap. Feb 19, 2015 if kids ran the world book by leo and diane dillon stories for kids childrens books duration. Firebug 1961 with diane dillon only as by dillon gentleman junkie and other stories of the hungup generation 1961 also appeared as. Gentleman junkie and other stories of the hungup generation 20 as by diane dillon and leo dillon variant. Etsy is the home to thousands of handmade, vintage, and oneofakind products and gifts related to your search. American black folktales by hamilton, virginia and a great selection of related books, art and collectibles available now at. In 1997 they celebrated their 40th anniversary, and their 40th collaboratively illustrated book, to everything there is a season. If kids ran the world book by leo and diane dillon stories for kids childrens books duration. Diane and leo have been recognized with the hamilton. Cover for the newbery award winning a wrinkle in time from 1979.
Leo dillon, awardwinning childrens book illustrator. Leo and diane dillon our white house looking in, looking out. Meettheauthor movie with leo dillon created by teachingbooks. The art of leo and diane dillon byron preiss, leo dillon, diane dillon on. Twotime caldecottwinning illustrators leo and diane dillon have illustrated over 25 books for children, and have received many honors, including two coretta scott king awards and the society of illustrators gold medal. Leo and diane dillon wikimili, the best wikipedia reader. Once we read a manuscript we throw ideas back and forth and wait continued. The first of two consecutive caldecott medal books 1975. Leo and diane dillon met at the parsons school of design in 1953 and married four years later. Leo and diane are unique among artists for their collaborative technique.
The class will revolve around the story rap a tap tap. May 31, 2012 leo dillon, who with his wife and longtime collaborator, diane, was one of the worlds preeminent illustrators for young people, producing artwork praised for its vibrancy, ecumenicalism. They were interviewed by scholastic students in 2003. There once was a man who danced in the street he brought pleasure and joy to the people hed greet he didnt just dance, he made art with his feet rap a tap tapthink of that. In this origin story, the mosquito lies to a lizard, who puts sticks in his ears and ends up frightening. The very first picture book was the ring and the prairie by john bierhorst. Looking through shapes at apples and grapes charles, n. Now this magnificent volume collects many of their best works for the first time and provides a magical tour into the studio and the imagination of americas most popular illustrator team. See more ideas about leo, books and harlan ellison. Dillon, diane and a great selection of related books, art and collectibles available now at. Not only this book is a scholarly examination of leo and diane dillon s artistic lives and work up to 1980. The silent multitude paperback original softcover new york ace science fiction 1966 good in wrappers, a wrinkle to the bottom of first page. Learn about the artist and find an indepth biography, exhibitions, original artworks, the latest news, and sold auction prices.
Leo and diane dillon author program indepth interview insights beyond the movie leo and diane dillon, interviewed in their home in brooklyn, new york on september 2, 2005. We always wanted to illustrate, like most children we grew up looking at picture books. Twotime caldecott award winner leo and diane dillon were the only backtoback winners of the caldecott medal, given to the illustrators of the most distinguished american picture. Leo dillon, who with his wife and longtime collaborator, diane, was one of the worlds preeminent illustrators for young people, producing. This husband and wife collaborative team are the only artists to win the prestigious caldecott medal for childrens book illustrations two years in a row, in 1976 for why mosquitos buzz in peoples ears and in 1977 for. Leo and diane dillon and arnold and anita lobel are husband and wife teams. Many authors and illustrators like to work with family members. The knight and the old hag, west park, story, 1958 sale date. Lionel john dillon, better known as leo dillon, was born in the east new york section of brooklyn, new york, in 1933, just 11 days before his future wife and collaborator, diane, would be born on the other side of the country. They met at the beginning of a vital time for change. Meeting first through one anothers artwork, they immediately recognized the talent and mastery of the other. Leo and diane collaborated on covers and woodcuts for a number of. She met her future husband, leo, when they were both studying at the parsons school of design in new york in 1953.
Diane and leo dillon first crossed paths in 1953 while attending college together. Diane dillons artistic career in childrens book was in partnership with her husband leo dillon. Diane and leo have been recognized with the hamilton king award, the chesley award, the world. Leo dillon, who with his wife and longtime collaborator, diane, was one of the worlds preeminent illustrators for young people, producing artwork praised for its vibrancy, ecumenicalism and sheer sumptuous beauty that was a seamless amalgam of both their hands. Can you find other connections among authors and illustrators. Leo and diane dillon are among the most talented and versatile illustrators in the united states. Leo dillon march 2, 1933 may 26, 2012 and diane dillon nee sorber. Dont tell me i cant, the first book shes written without her husband and longtime collaborator, the late leo dillon. He met his future wife, diane, when they were both studying at the parsons school of design in new york in 1953.