Childrens Books and Stories

The Paper Castle

Childrens Books and Stories, Illustrations, Watercolors

“he Steadfast Tin Soldier” (Danish: Den standhaftige tinsoldat) is a literary fairy tale by Hans Christian Andersen about a tin soldier’s love for a paper ballerina. After several adventures, the tin soldier perishes in a fire with the ballerina. The tale was first published in Copenhagen by C.A. Reitzel on 2 October 1838 in the first booklet of Fairy Tales Told for Children. New Collection. The booklet consists of Andersen’s “The Daisy” and “The Wild Swans”. The tale was Andersen’s first not based upon a folk tale or a literary model. “The Steadfast Tin Soldier” has been adapted to various media including ballet and animated film.

In Hans Christen Andersen’s story, a tin solider, the last made in his set, was made with only one leg because there was not enough tin to complete him.  The soldier fell in love with a paper ballerina that stood in the doorway of a paper castle. He thought that because she stood on one leg, that she could love him, too.

Watercolor on Windsor Newton cold press (signed and numbered prints available)

The Steadfast Tin Soldier

Childrens Books and Stories, Illustrations, Watercolors

“he Steadfast Tin Soldier” (Danish: Den standhaftige tinsoldat) is a literary fairy tale by Hans Christian Andersen about a tin soldier’s love for a paper ballerina. After several adventures, the tin soldier perishes in a fire with the ballerina. The tale was first published in Copenhagen by C.A. Reitzel on 2 October 1838 in the first booklet of Fairy Tales Told for Children. New Collection. The booklet consists of Andersen’s “The Daisy” and “The Wild Swans”. The tale was Andersen’s first not based upon a folk tale or a literary model. “The Steadfast Tin Soldier” has been adapted to various media including ballet and animated film.

This double page spread illustration is of the other dolls and toys that surround the soldier.  The goblin, represented by the jack in the box, at the lower left is the antagonist of the tale.  This is one of three illustrations for this book available on this site.

Watercolor on Windsor Newton cold press (signed and numbered prints available)

Jack

Childrens Books and Stories, Illustrations, Watercolors

“he Steadfast Tin Soldier” (Danish: Den standhaftige tinsoldat) is a literary fairy tale by Hans Christian Andersen about a tin soldier‘s love for a paper ballerina. After several adventures, the tin soldier perishes in a fire with the ballerina. The tale was first published in Copenhagen by C.A. Reitzel on 2 October 1838 in the first booklet of Fairy Tales Told for Children. New Collection. The booklet consists of Andersen’s “The Daisy” and “The Wild Swans“. The tale was Andersen’s first not based upon a folk tale or a literary model. “The Steadfast Tin Soldier” has been adapted to various media including ballet and animated film.

This illustration shows the confrontation between the Goblin (or Jack-in-the-box) and the Tin Soldier.  The antagonist is also in love with the paper ballerina and will not allow the tin soldier to approach her. It is the Jack-in-the-box that creates the wind that blows him out the window and into the gutter, thus sending the tin soldier on his many adventures.  The original painting belongs to a private owner.

Watercolor on Windsor Newton cold press (signed and numbered prints available)

The Lilliputians

Childrens Books and Stories, Illustrations, Watercolors

During his first voyage, Gulliver is washed ashore after a shipwreck and finds himself a prisoner of a race of tiny people, less than 6 inches tall, who are inhabitants of the island country of Lilliput. After giving assurances of his good behavior, he is given a residence in Lilliput and becomes a favorite of the court.

watercolor on Windsor Newton cold press

Sophie and Siggie Painting

Childrens Books and Stories, Illustrations, Watercolors

The crime fighting duo of Sophie and Siggie study the constellations looking for clues in their latest caper. The dachshund (UK pron.: /ˈdæksənd/ or US /ˈdɑːkshʊnt/ dahks-huunt or US /ˈdɑːksənt/;) is a short-legged, long-bodied dog breed belonging to the hound family. The standard size dachshund was bred to scent, chase, and flush out badgers and other burrow-dwelling animals, while the miniature dachshund was developed to hunt smaller prey such as rabbits. In the American West they have also been used to hunt prairie dogs. Today, they are bred for conformation shows and as family pets. Some dachshund participate in earthdog trials. According to the AKC, the dachshund continues to remain one of the top 10 dog breeds in the United States.

Watercolor on Windsor Newton cold press (signed and numbered prints available)