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Kathleen - Teachers.Net welcomes Mr. Michael McCurdy, illustrator/author/artist! Michael, tell us about your favorite teacher, and what made that person special in your life?
McCurdy - *Can't answer that. Several come to mind, especially art & English teachers in high school, though I wept when 4th grade was over.
Kathleen - Michael, has illustrating and writing been your only occupation?
McCurdy - *I taught at one time, in art school, at Concord Academy and at Wellesley College--all part time..I spent much of the 70s and 80s printing and publishing books under my Penmaen Press imprint.
Kathleen - Do you still have a publishing company?
McCurdy - Not really, but I do publish note cards
Kathleen - Michael McCurdy's Penmaen Press, which operated from 1968 to 1985, published original first-edition poetry, fiction, and translation. The archive, consisting of letters from important writers, galley proofs, ephemera, and a collection of all variants of each publication, has been taken recently to the University of Connecticut's Thomas J. Dodd Research Center in Storrs http://www.lib.uconn.edu/DoddCenter/ for cataloguing and preservation. The archive will be available to scholars and those interested in the small alternative press in America.
Kathleen - ANIMAL NOTE CARDS by Michael McCurdy are now on sale at his site.Wood engravings of a Chicken, Bear, Mouse, Cow, Pheasant, Worm, Gnat, and Fox :-) http://www.bcn.net/~mmccurdy/animals.htm
McCurdy - AlSO Thoreau Note cards too
Kathleen - Would you tell us something about the various types of media you use in your illustrations?
Kathleen - (and techniques)
McCurdy - *I began with wood engraving, now mostly scratchboard. Want to do more painting now, though, like casein..
Kathleen - What is scratchboard?
McCurdy - A clay board on which black India ink is spread, then scratched off
McCurdy - One works from black out to light
Kathleen - but you wish to do more painting?
McCurdy - Yes, I'm getting weary of scratching!
Kathleen - When publishers contact you, do they consult with you on what type of illustration to use, or do they tell you which type to use?
McCurdy - They come to me because they want me, so I am left pretty much alone, though we do discuss layout.
Kathleen - What illustrator/s or artists have had the greatest impact upon you and your work?
McCurdy - They were also my personal friends: Lynd Ward & Fritz Eichenberg, both famous wood engravers and book artists. Lynd's BIGGEST BEAR won the Caldecott in 1952.
Kathleen - Have you always lived and worked in beautiful New England? Has the environment affected your art?
McCurdy - *Moved from New Rochelle, NY in 1954 at age 12 and have lived in MA since then. I'm sure the feel of this country has affected my work. Lots of wood engravers seem bound to the variable New England landsape--and live here.
Kathleen - I see that a piece of your art is on display at the Norman Rockwell Museum in Stockbridge, Massachusetts http://www.nrm.org/ . I find the distinction (definition?) between illustrator and artist interesting and confusing. To me, Norman Rockwell and Michael McCurdy are wonderful artists. Why the distinction in terminology?
McCurdy - I suppose an illustrator is more a reactor to someone else's literary idea as interpreter (though look at Rembrandt--a Biblical illustrator!). Artists perhaps make images that can stand alone, without a context--but what do I know? If it works it's good.
Kathleen - News about Michael: http://www.bcn.net/~mmccurdy/news.htm
Kathleen - If one can create, one is an artist
Kathleen - Do you meet with other illustrators for any sort of support or professional interaction?
McCurdy - Very seldom. We seem to live lives of isolation. I know a goodly number, though mostly writers.
Kathleen - How closely have you worked with the author of any book? Or do you really have contact only with the editor or publisher?
McCurdy - I work with the editor, who usually does not want the writer interfering
Kathleen - Michael, I'm going to invite other participants to submit questions. When you respond to someone I've invited to post a message, would you begin your response with the name of the person to whom you are responding? Thanks!
McCurdy - But most writers I work with become fast friend
Kathleen - Is there a book that it is still your dream to illustrate?
McCurdy - How 'bout LEAVES OF GRASS?
Kathleen - ah, yes, I can see you doing Leaves of Grass. :-)
Kathleen - SPRING 1999 BOOKS illustrated by McCurdy: TARZAN retold by Robert San Souci and IRON HORSES by Verla Kay
Mary K&1 - Is the "scratching" that you discribed earlier the techneque you used for "The Wonderful Wizard of Oz"? (I saw it on your site.)
Kathleen - Iron Horses link: http://www.amazon.com/exec/obidos/ASIN/0399231196/teachersnet
McCurdy - Mary: Yes. That'll be out this fall
Kathleen - What is in the works now?
Mary K&1 - How were the illustrations for "Iron Horse" done?
McCurdy - Kath: *The Wizard of Oz is coming out this fall from U of KS Press--a centennial book. I am now working on a book (which I have also written) about the Algonquian Indians of the east and their monthly habits as determined by the names they gave to the full moons. Another idea too has been brought to my attention just the other day.
McCurdy - Mary: Colored scratchboard. The work was passed in March 1998! Still not out...
Kathleen - Michael will be in MINNEAPOLIS and ST. PAUL: On May 12 students at Highlands Elementary School in Edina, MN will plant a tree in the school's Literary Park in honor of Michael McCurdy--one of several trees to be planted to honor book illustrators and authors. Students studied Michael's work this term and created their own woodcuts. Michael will attend the ceremony.
Kathleen - Michael, are you going to tell us about the idea that just came to your attention ;-)?
McCurdy - Michael will sign books in Minneapolis at Wild Rumpus Bookstore, 2720
Kathleen - Michael will sign books in Minneapolis at Wild Rumpus Bookstore, 2720 West 43rd Street (May 15, 1:00 p.m.) and in St. Paul at Red Balloon Bookstore, 891 Grand Avenue (May 15, 10:30 a.m)
McCurdy - Whoops: I'll sign at Red Balloon in ST. P May 15
McCurdy - You got it!
Kathleen - Michael, what drew you to the diary of Fredrick Douglass?
McCurdy - It was my agent's idea, actually, and a good one!
McCurdy - I really got into the Douglass!
Kathleen - YOu seem to favor history/biography, yes?
lori - I hate to admit it, but I'm not familiar with your books. As a first grade teacher, which of your books would you recommend?
McCurdy - Yes, I seem to work best with historical subjects, and publishers seem to know that
Kathleen - Any child who likes trains would like Iron Horses (featured in the left frame)
McCurdy - LORI: IRON HORSES is perfect for very young readers.
Kathleen - And Iron Horses would be a good exposure for any child, intro an important period of history in rhyme
McCurdy - Lori: Verla Kay writes in simple rhyme
Kathleen - Visit Michael McCurdy at http://www.bcn.net/~mmccurdy/
Kathleen - I really love the illustrations in Iron Horses, too
McCurdy - American Tall Tales, too
Kathleen - Michael, Do you have any advice to teachers for when they notice a child who seems to have a special talent with drawing or painting?
McCurdy - Encourage any talent! My 3rd year H.S. English teacher allowed only me to draw in class!
jen/ca - MIchael, do you have any words of advice for teachers who want to publish writings for children? you probably get this ? a lot...
McCurdy - Jen: I guess read a lot of current books and submit to a publisher, though an agent helps.
Kathleen - American Fairy Tales: From Rip Van Winkle to the Rootabaga Stories http://www.amazon.com/exec/obidos/ASIN/0786802073/teachersnet
McCurdy - Jen: Agent is not crucial, however
Mary K&1 - This probably isn't the time, nor the place, but I'd sure like to know more about scratch board work. Do you make several boards? one for each color?
Kathleen - This is one of Michael's books: The Sailor's Alphabet http://www.amazon.com/exec/obidos/ASIN/0395841674/teachersnet Good for children through adults.
McCurdy - I do the original in b&w. If book is in color, I copy that and watercolor the copy
Mary K&1 - for each picture - I should have added
Kathleen - Connie, if you would like to ask a question of Michael, go ahead :-)
Kathleen - I love watercolor :-)
McCurdy - Mary: Each picture in the book is a separate work
Kathleen - Escape from Slavery; The Boyhood of Frederick Douglass in His Own Words http://www.amazon.com/exec/obidos/ASIN/0679846522/teachersnet
Connie - Thanks! Michael, are you wanting to write more books?
McCurdy - Connie: I have written about 7-8. Tough work! I'm doing one now
McCurdy - Connie: My last published wwritten book is TRAPPED BY THE ICE, about Shackleton'
Kathleen - Michael collaborated with Abraham Lincoln on this one:-): The Gettyburg Address http://www.amazon.com/exec/obidos/ASIN/0395883970/teachersnet
Kathleen - Michael, did you grow up surrounded by books and readers?
McCurdy - Kath: My parents were book people, my dad an advertsing artist
McCurdy - Grandmother was a bohemian painter
McCurdy - Books and pictires came together in art school
Kathleen - McCurdy, were they all in NY?
McCurdy - I was born in NYC (FifthAve!) but father came from Pittsburgh
McCurdy - They all lived at one time in NY
Mary K&1 - How many prints can you get from one scratch board?
McCurdy - Mary: Unlike wood engraving, scratchboard is one of a kind. No prints.
Kathleen - Is scratchboard something practical to try with primary school children?
McCurdy - It's kinda like those crayon scratchboard things we did as kids
McCurdy - Where you remove one color to expose another?
McCurdy - A child could get into scratchboard. Sharp nib is needed, however.
Kathleen - Yes, I remember doing that. So you scratch, then that is photographed, not printed, right?
McCurdy - Yes, the work is reproduced by photo offset printing
Connie - Michael, do you get to visit schools?
McCurdy - Connie: sometimes
McCurdy - Connie: I have in the past, less so now. I shall be in Edina MN in May
McCurdy - No talk or nuttin', but they're planting a McCurdy tree!
McCurdy - Ever hear of Jan Wahl? I have a book of hsi coming this fall
Kathleen - Michael, how often have you visited the Rockwell museum? I've been once, it's wonderful, makes smiles, and tears
Kathleen - Michael, what is the title?
McCurdy - Kath: I'm 10 minutes away, was going to have lunch there tomorrow but postponed
McCurdy - I've been a few times
Connie - I noticed at your web site that you're talent for illustrating is highly praised.
Kathleen - Yes, Michael is a very modest, unassuming person.
Kathleen - Michael will be in MINNEAPOLIS and ST. PAUL: On May 12 students at Highlands Elementary School in Edina, MN will plant a tree in the school's Literary Park in honor of Michael McCurdy--one of several trees to be planted to honor book illustrators and authors. Students studied Michael's work this term and created their own woodcuts. Michael will attend the ceremony.
Kathleen - Michael, I wondered whether they selected a tree because of your wood engraving??
Kathleen - Like, launch butterflies in honor of Eric Carle.
McCurdy - Kath: It's a "Literary Park". Not related, though all students read MAN WHO PLANTEDD TREES
Kathleen - Michael, have you met Eric Carle? Would you find much in common considering how different your work is?
Kathleen - Eric Carle lives and works in Northampton Mass., not too far from Michael
McCurdy - Kath: Afraid not. My roommate, however, was David McPhail. Know him?
Kathleen - Mordecai Gerstein? also of Northampton, Jane Yolen (must be something in the water up there :-)
Kathleen - Micheal, yes, I've had requests to have David come here. Maybe you could help with that.
McCurdy - I know Yolen> SIgned with her Barry Moser last October
McCurdy - David is not computer guy. Hopeless
Mary K&1 - What is the size of the note cards?
Kathleen - Jan Brett won't type online, either!
McCurdy - You can check them out at my web page: animals are about 4.5x6, Thoreau card larger
Kathleen - Michael, do you travel to research your work?
McCurdy - McPhail is a great fellow. Have known him since 1965
McCurdy - rarely do, unlike some people I know.
Kathleen - The Bershires are a terrific breeding ground for creativity
Kathleen - Micahel, you could have David over and transcribe his responses for him on the computer!
McCurdy - David McPhail llives in Newburyport, MA--3 hrs from here
Mary K&1 - Michael, do you have any children and if so are they artists also?
Kathleen - another nice town, Newburyport
McCurdy - Heather is in Peace COrp in Mali and son Mark is in Amherst working
McCurdy - The kids are interested, Heather majored in Hist. of Art, but not visual artists
Kathleen - Michael, will you collaborate on a book with Heather someday?
Kathleen - Mali would make a beautiful subject
McCurdy - If she writes something about living in the bush in Mali!
McCurdy - You know, I do adult books too--Mamet, muir, Thoreau, Abbey
Kathleen - Michael, which is the favorite of your books so far (your favorite, I mean)
Kathleen - Michael, yes, I'm glad you mentioned the books for adults :-)
McCurdy - Kath: I just can't say! But Gettyburg Address comes close and Seasons Sewn
Kathleen - It must have been exciting to work with Abe Lincoln on that one ;-)
McCurdy - I need older fare from time to time
Kathleen - Michael, is there a question you wish I had asked?
McCurdy - Yes, Lincoln a hero
Mary K&1 - Any future plans for more books for the very young?
McCurdy - Mary: Not immediately. I probably am best at books for older kids--at least from 8 up
Kathleen - Michael, what question are you relieved I didn't ask? :-)
McCurdy - You got me there, dahlin'
Kathleen - Michael McCurdy, thank you so much for spending this evening with us at Teachers.Net!
McCurdy - Kath: Thansl for having me-and thanks to Mary too!
Kathleen - And thank you for spending all of those hours troubleshooting trying to get online here ;-)
McCurdy - I have a show in Boston this Saturday
McCurdy - Club of Odd Volumes--opening May 1
Kathleen - A show of your work or a book show?
McCurdy - books, prints and drawings
McCurdy - Opening is only time public cansee it
McCurdy - night all!
Kathleen - Thank you and goodnight to those who came in and those who read along! :-)
McCurdy - over and like out
