book read

The art of Holly Hobbie: drawing on affection, by Holly Hobbie (1986). The artist now best know for the Toot and Puddle children's books, originally famous in the 1970s when her drawings of prairie girls for Hallmark cards became a merchandising phenomenon. I had a Holly Hobbie doll. It's actually her real name.

This is a heavily illustrated little memoir about her art-life and its intersection with her family-life, as she raised 3 children during the period of Holly Hobbie popularity, and they often served as her models in one way or another. It's sweet, domestic, full of love for her children and the outdoors. Interesting to compare the watercolors (this is her main medium) with her recent work in Toot and Puddle - her style has evolved, and is more free. I love sharp detailed watercolors and wish I could do them.

teeth report

Casper is starting to get canines, the uppers. Little points are coming through. Her upper molars are partway through. Her lower molars are all the way in. Teeth! As she would say (when shown a picture of a lion, a bear, a dinosaur, a sabre-tooth tiger): "Rrrrrar!"