Kissed the girls and made them cry
When the boys came out to play,
Georgie Porgie ran away.
-17th century nursery rhyme
That one actually has a pretty scandalous story behind it....oooh la la. Ok, back to business. Nursery rhymes and poetry books have been popular among children for years, and it is no doubt thanks to beautiful illustrations like those of Jessie Wilcox Smith, the American artist and illustrator. Smith's subjects are often innocent portrayals of children, as with her illustrations for Mother Goose, Alice in Wonderland, and other children's fairytales. Smith is also well-known for poster campaigns for the Red Cross during World War I. At a time characterized by fear and suffering, Smith's comforting images of family and home helped with the American war effort. She also was a contributing artist for Good Housekeeping magazine and the Ladies Home Journal, illustrating covers from 1917 through 1933. As a child, I had an alphabet book that featured her lovely illustrations which I always loved to peruse (especially that Good Housekeeping cover with the two girls reading--that one has always been a favorite!). Her work has definitely had an impact on my illustration style so thanks Jessie!
No time to be creative.....aka back to The Daily Drop Cap. Thanks Jessica Hische for this pretty swirly, twirly "G"!
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