Wednesday’s wood cutter …

I like these images by Mary Azarian,  they are wood cuts while they are bigger than wood engravings they tell a story. They are also from A farmer’s alphabet ; ABC books are a passion of mine and these little motifs are a delight.  I will look out for her books.

Meanwhile I will share the little information I have about the artist.

Mary Azarian (1940) is an American wood engraver and illustrator, in 1999 she won the Caldecott Medal for her illustrations in  Snowflake Bentley by Jacqueline Briggs Martin; the story of Wilson Bentley ; the first known photographer of snowflakes.  She has produced many original prints and published more than 50 books.  Before become a full-time artist Mary taught for 3 years in a one room school house.  At first she printed black and white images by hand, later she added colour.  When she found an old Vandercook proofing press she was able to increase her out put considerably. In the 1970s she began illustrating children’s books.