Illustration Friday # 27: TRIBUTE

cover to Rochel Coleman's Tuskegee Airmen album, art by Cheryl Kirk Noll

This week, I'm posting an older piece for the Illustration Friday "Tribute" prompt word.

This is a CD cover I did for Rochel Coleman, a professional storyteller who has lived in Providence. His uncle was one of the historic Tuskegee Airmen, black pilots who flew combat missions over Africa and Europe in WWII, and one of the stories that it tells is a tribute to these men, who broke racial barriers.

On a related note, I recently read an interesting YA book by Sherri L. Smith titled "Flygirl." It was about a young black woman who "passed" (as white) in order to serve in the Women's Airforce Service Pilots during WWII.

Illustration Friday # 19: SWAMP

© Cheryl Kirk Noll,  Harriet Tubman escapes slavery

I've been SWAMPed this week with a wonderful weekend conference, a niece getting married, and family visiting from the other coast. So here is an older piece, done for a set of story cards for Graphic Learning, a Divison of Abrams & Co.,  many years ago, illustrating Harriet Tubman escaping from slavery through a SWAMP in Maryland.

Illustration Friday # 15: FORWARD

Am I moving forward today? Sadly, I am posting an older piece. I worked on a new one, but wasn't ready to put it up today. It was similar to this, with snow, and running children and a dog. I did this many years ago, but still love to play with detail against open areas.

I'd like to give credit to fellow illustrator, Marion Eldridge, for moving FORWARD this week by doing a digital piece for Illustration Friday. I, too, am exploring the digital realm, and am impressed with her progress. Love your "baby steps," Marion. Click here to see Marion's post.

They ran FORWARD through the snow. © Cheryl Kirk Noll

Illustration Friday # 13: PREPARE (for Chinese New Year)

Chinese New Year is almost here. On January 23, 2012, why not join millions around the world who are welcoming the Year of the Dragon.
A few customs to help PREPARE for the New Year, and to ensure a prosperous and healthy year are:

• Clean your entire home and put away all your brooms and brushes. 
• Pay your debts.
• Resolve difference with friends and family. (What a really great idea!)

When I illustrated Celebrating Chinese New Year: Nick's New Year, I was fortunate to be invited to the home of a Chinese American family. They shared the customs they follow with me, and posed  as models for my illustrations.

Here is one of the illustrations from the book.

illustration by Cheryl Kirk Noll

The text says, "Everyone gets a haircut and wears new clothes." 

This book was written by Rosa Drew and Heather Phillips, illustrated by Cheryl Kirk Noll, and is still  available.

"Celebrating Chinese New Year: Nick's New Year"

Illustration Friday # 10: MESSENGER

Storytellers are messengers, carrying tales from place to place, and generation to generation.

Illustration Friday # 9: SINK

The Lion & the Hare

A ferocious Lion who kills for sport, and terrorizes the animals of the forest. Finally, the animals flatter Lion into an arrangement where one animal a day, drawn by a lot, willingly become his supper. In return, Lion agrees to stop hunting.

When Hare draws the lot, he forms a plan. He arrives late, and tells Lion he was waylaid by another Lion.

"In my jungle?" roars the beast. "Take me to him."

Hare leads Lion to a deep well.

Upon seeing his own reflection, Lion roars and threatens the "other" lion. Then, the enraged beast charges at his own reflection, and proceeds to SINK to the bottom of the well, never to be heard from again.

This story is from the Panchatantra, or "Five Chapters," a collection of ancient Indian animal stories, where a wise old man named Vishnusarman uses tales to teach three young princes how to rule wisely.

The story and this illustration can be found in the January 2000 issue of Calliope Magazine, Ashoka, India's Philosopher King. This magazine, geared towards grades 5-9, focuses on World History.
for more information about the magazine, click here.

Illustratin Friday #8: Separated

Loss, from The Crane Wife, illustrations ©Cheryl Kirk Noll

The Crane Wife is a well known Japanese folktale. It begins as a story of love and caring, when a poor woodcutter saves the life of an injured Japanese crane. Good fortune follows,  but he allows greed and pride to overcome compassion and thankfulness. 

Thus, he is separated from what he holds dear.

 © illustrations by Cheryl Kirk Noll

,

The Crane Wife, by Ena Keo

I'm thankful that I was asked to illustrate this story early in career.  

The book includes a few images that are still among my favorites.

Illustration Friday #5: FUEL

I didn't have time to do a new piece for Illustration Friday this week, so I'm putting up an older piece that illustrates a legend about the goddess Pele, from Hawaii. This is done traditionally, using watercolors.

The taunts from her sister only fueled Pele's anger.