Children’s

You are currently browsing the archive for the Children’s category.

Punchkinhead, the Never-Give-Up Boy

November 21, 2010 in Children's, Japan, News | Add your comment

Punchkinhead, the Never-Give-Up Boy benefit art book for Holden's Hope charityNot long ago, my friend, namesake, and fellow artist Patrik Washburn got in touch with me about a new charity project he was putting together called Holden’s Hope. Holden Thomas Underwood is a brave baby boy fighting Acute Lymphocytic Leukemia. While Holden’s predicament is a heartbreaking one, watching so many talented people come together to help him and his family is one of the most uplifting things I’ve ever experienced. Although I couldn’t contribute artwork, I’m happy to help out Patrik and Holden in any small way I can.

The art book, Punchkinhead, the Never-Give-Up Boy, contains artwork contributed by thirty-five of the most exciting artists and illustrators that Japan has to offer. All profits will go to aiding Holden’s family to help them pay for Holden’s care.

Punchkinhead, the Never-Give-Up Boy benefit art book for Holden's Hope charityJ.A.M.A.D. – Japan Artists Make A Difference, is the collection of artists Patrik gathered together to create this book. We’ve put together a website to recognize the contributions of these selfless creators at http://www.patokon.com/jamad/. There, you can find links to each of the artists’ websites (definitely worth checking out to find some amazing artwork), a preview of the book, and the press release.

Please consider purchasing Punchkinhead and contributing to a wonderful cause. And don’t forget to spread the word.

Guest Shots: Jiro Takidaira

February 25, 2010 in Children's, Guest Shots, Japan | 3 comments

Guest Shots: Jiro Takidaira“Baby Powder” Takidaira Jiro, 1974

Not so long ago, I gave a brief PaperCutting workshop to the local Tokyo chapter of the SCBWI. It was a ton of fun to do, and I really enjoyed being able to show a little bit of what goes into the process of one of my cut paper images. Just as rewarding for me, though, was researching the history of the art form and some of its most talented practitioners.

I had always assumed that cut paper art in Japan had as long a history as the Chinese tradition (which dates back to…well, pretty much the day after they invented paper!). Shockingly, I was wrong. While paper cutouts had been used for centuries as stencils in the textile industry, mostly for creating exquisite kimono designs, it was not recognized as as art unto itself.

That changed with 滝平二郎 (Takidaira Jiro). Born in 1921, he grew up in the Japanese countryside on a farm. After returning from the war, he threw himself into artwork. His early work reminds me of Russian poster art of the time, with it’s strong, serious, proletariat farmers. As time went on, the paintings become sparser and more graphic, borrowing the strong and simple line of manga comics. Eventually, he segued into children’s book illustration, and this is where his work truly bloomed. Sometime in the 1960′s, Takidaira began to incorporate cut paper into his illustrations, laying it over backgrounds painted in watercolor and India ink. It’s fascinating to watch the progression of his work as he became more and more enamored of the paper and the cutting. In the 1970′s, we can see the amount of detail increasing until it fills the whole page with patterns of flora and the textures of Japanese life. Then, in the 80′s he cut the artwork back down to the basics, with wide swathes of black and simple, powerful compositions. Read the rest of this entry »

Cut to the Chase – Discovering and Making Cut Paper Art and Illustration

January 27, 2010 in Children's, Exhibitions & Events, Japan, News | 1 comment

Cut to the Chase Event promo with Patrick Gannon Hey everyone, I’m doing a workshop on Friday! It’s reservation only, so if you’d like to see me turn tomato-red while chatting about how cool Cut Paper Art is, and you’re going to be in the Tokyo area, grab a seat. Here’s the description:

For centuries, cut paper has had a place in storytelling and folk art traditions throughout the world. From intricate Chinese cutouts to Mexico’s Papel Picado to European silhouettes, papercutting has been a vibrant part of the craft life of many cultures. Cut paper became a popular technique with childrens’ book illustrators, valued for lively colors and versatility. Recently cut paper has received renewed attention from artists, merging modern creativity and thought with traditional techniques.


In this 90-minute workshop, cut paper artist/illustrator Patrick Gannon will conduct a brief tour of the history of Cut Paper art traditions throughout the world. Modern papercutting art from various artists and illustrators will be introduced. He’ll demonstrate some of his techniques for creating this fascinating and fun art form and lead participants in the creation of their own cut paper illustrations. Participants are encouraged to bring sketches, characters, or story ideas that can be used as a creative starting point for their illustrations.

And the details:

Time:  Friday, January 29, 2010, 7:00-8:30 p.m.
Place:  Tokyo Women’s Plaza, Conference Room 2
           5-53-67 Jingumae, Shibuya-ku, Tokyo
           (by the Children’s Castle and United Nations University)
For a map see www.scbwi.jp/map.htm
Fee:  SCBWI members 1,000 yen
         Non-members 1,500 yen
Reservations:  Contact info@scbwi.jp by January 28
Materials to Bring:  

  • sketch pad or paper
  • colored paper (optional)
  • pencil or mechanical pencil
  • eraser
  • scissors
  • glue or glue stick (optional)
  • cutting mat (if you have one) or A4 to A3 size sheet(s) of thick cardboard
  • NT design cutter / X-acto knife and blade (if you have one)

This event will be in English;
Japanese interpretation available on request.

Also of note, this is the first time I’ve ever posted a photo of myself on this blog. Try not to let it scare you off from the event.

The Iron Resolve of the Golden Owl

January 14, 2009 in Art - Recent Work, Children's, Exhibitions & Events, ` | 4 comments

The Iron Resolve of the Golden Owl cut paper art book by Patrick Gannon
cut paper and washi binder/book
14 1/2cm x 24cm / about 5 3/4″ x 9 1/2″

One of my goals this year is to make sure that I don’t allow myself to be contained by any definitions or rules which I’ve imposed on myself. Artistically speaking, of course. I won’t be making a complete break with civilized society just yet. Maybe next year.

For now, I’m happy to follow my creative impulses wherever they take me. In this case, they took me to make a book. Or a binder, actually. True bookmaking requires needles and threads and something akin to sewing. In my world, that inevitably leads to pinholes in my fingertips, lots of bad words, and a big ‘ol mess. Making a binder, on the other hand, led me to learn how to use rivets. There are hammers and workbenches and hammering involved. All satisfyingly manly. Now I just need to manufacture an excuse to use power tools and I’ll be able to think of myself as burly. grr.

The Iron Resolve of the Golden Owl cut paper art book by Patrick GannonThis urge to defy being boxed-in manifested itself in the artwork. It takes fortitude and resolve to break with convention, and I’m happy to say that this Golden Owl and his sidekick have it. This is my goal for the coming year: to not be afraid to do my own thing, to soar above the heights previously achievable, to perch on the unperchable.

Also, to get as much gold as I possibly can. And maybe a sidekick.

Pictures of the book, and details of the artwork:
Read the rest of this entry »

Gallery Show – One For the Kids

November 28, 2008 in Children's, Exhibitions & Events, Japan, News | 2 comments

SCBWI Tokyo Illustrator Exhibition postcardI hope you’re prepared for some seriously awkward acronyms today. If not, you might want to go grab another cup of your favorite caffeinated beverage and warm up with a few tongue twisters before attempting.

The SCBWI Tokyo Illustrator Exhibition will be held at the TAC Genkan Gallery from December 1st-14th.

Perplexed? Tongue-tied? SCBWI = Society of Children’s Book Writers and Illustrators. The much less mind-bending TAC = Tokyo American Club. See, that wasn’t so bad. Although I am not a member, The Tokyo American Club is a wonderful group here in Tokyo that has been exceptional supportive of the arts.

The SCBWI Illustrator Exhibition features the artwork of 10 members displayed in the Genkan Gallery. The Gallery is open to the public (although much of the TAC is exclusive to members), and many of the works will be available for sale.

Time: December 1-14; 7:30am to 11pm (Opens noon on Dec. 1 and closes 6pm on Dec. 14)
Place: Genkan Gallery. Tokyo American Club 1F Adult Lobby
           4-25-46 Takanawa, Minato-ku, Tokyo 108-0074
For information, email: info(at)scbwi.jp
Website: SCBWI
Website: Tokyo American Club

The talent assembled for the show is as impressive as it is international. I can’t stress enough how great I expect this exhibition to be, and I am thrilled to be included. The back of the postcard (with a map) is below. Here’s the list of artists whose works I will be gawking at:

SCBWI Tokyo Illustrator Exhibition postcard

Baby Blast

June 4, 2008 in Art - Recent Work, Children's | 12 comments

Throwing the Baby Out With the Bathwater cut paper illustration by Patrick Gannoncut paper / illustration board

Blast from the past, that is. Every technique and style has to start somewhere, and “Throwing the Baby Out with the Bathwater” was pretty close to the beginning for me. Even though I had been using cut paper for a while before I did this piece, I had always been combining it with other mixed media; pen/ink or acrylics or scratchboard. “Baby” was one of the first fully cut paper pieces.

Sadly, not long after I scanned it, I managed to drip a big blot of black ink smack dab into the middle of the green. Knowing what I know now, there’s a chance I could repair it. Back then, the best I could do was shrug and file it away. Read the rest of this entry »

Stealing from Chimps and the Orphan Works Act

April 28, 2008 in Children's, Japan, News | 2 comments

Copyright Armageddon. That’s what this past week has felt like. Judgement Day for intellectual property. Yeah, there’s a whole lot of hyperbole flying around, and a whole lot of guts tied up in knots. Generally, I don’t like talking law or politics on PaperCuts. It’s an art blog, and I prefer to keep it that way. Unfortunately, some issues directly impact me and the work I do, like a shovel to the back of the head.

First, Darren Di Lieto of the Little Chimp Society, a fantastic art portal site (of which I am a member) sent out emails warning people about “Colorful Illustrations 93°C”, an art book created entirely from plagiarized material. Not much later, I heard that the Orphan Works Bill (you can download copies here) was back. A day or two after that, a good friend of mine found that her work had been purloined and used online without permission. This is bound to get wordy, so hang in there. Read the rest of this entry »

Heavy Heavy Hippos

March 21, 2008 in Art - Recent Work, Children's | 2 comments

BananaTail and Reena cut paper art by Patrick GannonAs promised here’s the finished piece, wherein BananaTail gives his pal Reena a boost up to grab a vine. Banana-Tail is, of course, the incorrigible (but good-hearted) monkey created by comic-inker legend Mark McKenna. Read the rest of this entry »

Heavy Heavy Hippos – WIP

March 20, 2008 in Children's, W.I.P.s, ` | Add your comment

BananaTail and Reena sketch by Patrick GannonMark McKenna’s Banana-Tail is back again, this time with his pal Reena, the color-variable Hippo Rhino, making an impression on him. There have been a few tweaks and additions to the drawing since this, including slimming down BT’s overly athletic, olympic weight-lifter thighs. I really enjoy drawing Reena. All those great round shapes flow so naturally from my hand. Read the rest of this entry »

The Shop Goes Up; the Site Goes Down

March 14, 2008 in Children's, Exhibitions & Events, Japan, News | Add your comment

Momotaro button-badge by Patrick GannonIf you’ve been paying especially close attention during the last few weeks, you might have noticed that the shop on my main website has been slowly coming to life. At the moment it’s pretty basic, and a bit of a work-in-progress (already I want to re-design the shop’s front page). Having said that, there are some very cool products up for sale featuring my cut paper art. These button-badges are a great example.

Right now, these are the types of products you can find for sale: original art, calendars, button-badges, and books. In the near future, I plan on adding postcards, prints, more button-badges, and anything else my little imagination can conjure up.

Oni button-badge by Patrick GannonHere’s where you come in: I’d love to hear your ideas or suggestions for future items. Which pieces would you like to hang on your wall as a print, or wear as a button? I’m completely open to suggestions for new types of things to paste my art to as well. So don’t be shy!

Okay, now for the bad news. My webhost has seen fit to move a bunch of servers from one clust…y’know what? I don’t really know what they’re doing. Theoretically it will result in my website being more stable and zippier. I’m keeping my fingers crossed. In the meantime, it will mean about 12 hours where my site will be down, unavailable, dead-to-the-world. Downtime starts Friday, March 21st, at 9pm PDT and is expected to last until Saturday, March 22nd, 9AM PDT.
Give or take.

« Older entries