A Grayceful Life

I am so excited to start this new series called Illustrator Spotlight! Anyone who knows me knows that I am a sucker for a beautiful children's book.  I've noticed more than once that a new favorite book looks similar to something we already have on the shelf, and it's especially fun when one of the girls is the one to point it out!  This has led me develop a list of favorite illustrators and an even longer wish list of books to buy.  I thought maybe if I shared the love here, it might satisfy me and keep me from buying all of those books myself (I doubt it, but hey I can dream!)

Our first illustrator spotlight is on Don Clark.


I first came to Don Clark's work through the book The Biggest Story.  I've noticed a trend in really beautiful and well-told Christian children's books, and I am here. for. it.  It's such a refreshing change from the days of flat, white depictions of the same few Old Testament stories to see big-picture, gospel-focused re-tellings of the Bible.  In fact, I'm so passionate about this that I'm working on another post about it, but you can shop my favorites here.  Anyway, in addition to being a beautifully written narrative of God's love for us, this book is flat out gorgeous.  It feels a little bit Scandinavian, a little bit mid-century, a little bit Disney, and the colors will knock you over in their intensity.  Once I had it in my hands, I had to know more about the artist who created this work of beauty, and I found several more books, including a board book version (which I just may buy even though my kids have totally outgrown board books), this stunner (also a board book I think, but it's shiny so far be it for me to resist), and the next addition to our Christmas collection.


Apparently I'm not the only one who thinks this work is so compelling; Don runs a design studio called Invisible Creature with his brother.  According to their website:

"We've had the honor of receiving 4 Grammy nominations for music packaging and have worked with clients such as Target, NASA, LEGO, Nike, Wired Magazine, The New York Times, Adobe, Xbox, MTV and more. Our work has been featured in the pages of Print, HOW, iDN, Communication Arts, Step, in addition to publications of the hardbound variety by publishers such as Juxtapoz, Die Gestalten Verlag, Chronicle, Fantagraphics and more. Our toys and products have been sold in stores such as Target, SF MOMA, Barnes & Noble, Whole Foods, Discovery Channel Store, Nordstrom, Anthropologie and more. In 2010, we even met the 44th President of The United States. "

No big deal. Do you think it would be weird to stock up on Target gift cards just because they're pretty? Asking for a friend.  You'd better believe I'll be keeping an eye out for any more books out from this talented artist!

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