| A Sneak Preview of Matthew and the Artist by B.J. Lee (Author) and Eric Hammond (Illustrator) Due for release in 2010 from Wag Tale Press, this picture book is a journey through inspiration, as a young boy befriends an eccentric but gifted artist, and learns skills to turn his own bright imagination into works of art. Please enjoy these excerpts from B.J. Lee's poetic tale, accompanied by preliminary sketches by illustrator Eric Hammond. _______________________________________________________________________________________ |
There was an odd artist who lived on the hill,
in a bright yellow house with a tangerine frill.
He wore a tall hat and a long coat with tails.
As he strode around town, the tails billowed like sails.
Considered eccentric, he didn't fit in.
The townspeople said, "He makes all our heads spin!"
in a bright yellow house with a tangerine frill.
He wore a tall hat and a long coat with tails.
As he strode around town, the tails billowed like sails.
Considered eccentric, he didn't fit in.
The townspeople said, "He makes all our heads spin!"
But Matthew looked in
at the window and saw
a house full of wonder
and magic and awe.
He saw beading and baubles
and trinkets in trunks,
the gleaming of metals
and gems in big chunks.
And other large rooms
that were filled with great art,
bright drawings and paintings
that touched Matthew's heart.
at the window and saw
a house full of wonder
and magic and awe.
He saw beading and baubles
and trinkets in trunks,
the gleaming of metals
and gems in big chunks.
And other large rooms
that were filled with great art,
bright drawings and paintings
that touched Matthew's heart.
Young Matthew made friends with the odd, gifted man,
whose wife glowed and sparkled. Her name was Roxanne.
Young Matthew inquired, "Please, when may I come?
Sir, if you give lessons, will you give me some?
whose wife glowed and sparkled. Her name was Roxanne.
Young Matthew inquired, "Please, when may I come?
Sir, if you give lessons, will you give me some?
So Matthew went over
on Thursday at three.
Roxanne brought them teacakes
out under the tree.
When Matthew was given
a tour of the house,
a piglet rushed by,
then a skunk, then a mouse.
"My pets are just playing.
Don't mind them at all.
They're all very tame
and they'll come when you call!"
The artist taught Matthew
to draw, sculpt and paint.
But the townsfolk were bothered.
They voiced their complaint.
on Thursday at three.
Roxanne brought them teacakes
out under the tree.
When Matthew was given
a tour of the house,
a piglet rushed by,
then a skunk, then a mouse.
"My pets are just playing.
Don't mind them at all.
They're all very tame
and they'll come when you call!"
The artist taught Matthew
to draw, sculpt and paint.
But the townsfolk were bothered.
They voiced their complaint.
"We don't like this artist. He's got an odd beard.
Why can't he just shave it? He'd look better sheared."
"Tish-Tosh!" cried Roxanne. "How you prattle and preach.
My husband is quirky but he's a real peach.
And Matthew is learning so much and so fast.
My husband, as teacher, cannot be surpassed..."
______________________________________________
Why can't he just shave it? He'd look better sheared."
"Tish-Tosh!" cried Roxanne. "How you prattle and preach.
My husband is quirky but he's a real peach.
And Matthew is learning so much and so fast.
My husband, as teacher, cannot be surpassed..."
______________________________________________
| ____________________________________________________________________________________ The adventure of Matthew with his artist/teacher will continue, culminating in the creation of a fabulous sculpture. Will the townsfolk accept the strange ways of these artistic folk? All will be revealed, in the forthcoming book by Lee and Hammond. ___________________________________________________________________________________ |
Formerly a librarian at The Boston Conservatory, B.J. Lee has a Bachelor's in English and a Master's in
Library and Information Science. She is a classical pianist, African drummer and jazz singer. Her charm
and wit as a writer is irresistible. For more information about Ms. Lee and her works, please visit her
website at: childrensauthorbjlee.com.
Library and Information Science. She is a classical pianist, African drummer and jazz singer. Her charm
and wit as a writer is irresistible. For more information about Ms. Lee and her works, please visit her
website at: childrensauthorbjlee.com.
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