early influences - day 2

Flower Fairies by Cicily Mary Barker

I have saved these little books for my whole life. They must have been given to me by an English relative one birthday. As a child I cherished them and looked through them all the time. It helped that my dad was a firm believer in fairies at the bottom of the garden and so I somehow was sure they existed. The books fostered in me a love of flowers, the names of which I learned from these books and from dad.

I had my own little garden where I had scillas, tulips, dafodils, grape hyacinths and some peonies too. I have tons of sweet memories of having a walk round the garden after dinner with dad, surveying our flower beds.

As a teenager, I took influence from these little books for a brief stint as a hat and fashion designer. I put on a little fashion show at school with silly beanies which looked a bit like the sweet flower hats these fairies wear.

Though my work today doesn't really resemble these lovely delicate paintings, it does base itself in a love of teeny tiny cute things. Something I have loved for as long as I can remember. I think all kids like small things because they are special and can be carried around or hidden in secret places. I just never grew out of that.

Comments

[Elizabooth]

Oh, I *looooved* these when I was a kid, especially the Geranium. Anything fussy and girly, that was for me. Though, I also loved those Richard Scarry drawings of food and household items -- long live Huckle Cat!

[jenclair]

What beautiful books! They really are treasures and perfect for both children and adults with the lovely illustrations.

I'm also a fan of Richard Scarry, whose books occupied many pleasant hours when my children were small.

[VictoriaE]

I love the story about the fairyinspired teenage fashion show!! We're so lucky to have grown up in Richard Scarry's heyday.

[tania *]

:)
hee!
thanks- they are really sweet books-

[Kristina Karkov Therkildsen]

I love these. My Grandma used to have them, when I was a child and I would go through them over and over. A few years back (and probably still), they were the "craze" around as little figurines. So so cute. I tried to find my Grandma's favorite for her - Lily of the Valley - but they didn't make that exact figure. Bummer. My Grandma has since past away and I don't know where the books went, but I think my sister might have them....must find out ;o)