childrensillustrators.com - illustrator - John Aardema - the ramayana
childrensillustrators.com - illustrator - John Aardema - the ramayana
John Aardema
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illustration - the ramayana-I was listening to a radio program about the Ramayana, and while I was listening, I sketched this picture. I liked it so much, I refined it and painted it. Prince Rama has been living in the forest with his wife Sita. He has just learned from Jatayu that his wife has been abducted by the ten-headed demon, Ravana. Even though he was gravely wounded while defending Sita, Jatayu brings the news to Prince Rama and dies in his arms. Hanuman, the leader of the monkeys—who is deeply devoted to Prince Rama—gathers the animals together who pledge to help him on his quest to find his wife, Sita. The animals shown are native to India, including the lesser-known luna moth and the raccoon-like red panda. - Aardema, John
I was listening to a radio program about the Ramayana, and while I was listening, I sketched this picture. I liked it so much, I refined it and painted it. Prince Rama has been living in the forest with his wife Sita. He has just learned from Jatayu that his wife has been abducted by the ten-headed demon, Ravana. Even though he was gravely wounded while defending Sita, Jatayu brings the news to Prince Rama and dies in his arms. Hanuman, the leader of the monkeys—who is deeply devoted to Prince Rama—gathers the animals together who pledge to help him on his quest to find his wife, Sita. The animals shown are native to India, including the lesser-known luna moth and the raccoon-like red panda.
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Next four illustrations from John Aardema:
illustrator - portfolio - Aardema, John - homeless ghosts of new orleans-When I visited New Orleans, I really wanted to take a “ghost tour”, but circumstances kept me from doing so. So later, when I heard about the flooding caused by Hurricane Katrina, I whimsically thought of how phantoms might react to a flood. I completed this painting before the enormity of the destruction was revealed. I realized I had an image that might seem too light-hearted for the serious nature of the disaster. I put it away. One year later I still have a painting that no one has seen until now. My style is what it is. This image that I’ve created does not match the seriousness of the disaster, nor exemplify the horror that so many must have faced. But I do believe that it touches on the sorrow that we must feel for the people who lost so much.
illustrator - portfolio - Aardema, John - jack frost-When I decided that I’d make an illustration of Jack Frost, I didn’t realize until I started on the colors that I’d end up painting someone wearing silver and white in silvery-white snow next to a silvery-white snowman. While it’s snowing. It worked out because there’s a number of things going on, and since Jack is the same color as the background, it’s good not to have distracting colors directing the viewer’s eye away from the center of action. The limited color palette allows me to keep the illustration extra frosty.
illustrator - portfolio - Aardema, John - peace on earth-This is my Christmas card that I sent to my clients. I was listening to a little Handel the other day, and I got the idea to use the image of the Lamb of God with the banner that said “Halleluia!” But then I got thinking about all these wars, and I decided to go with “Peace on Earth…” instead. That lead me to the idea of the lion laying down with the lamb. I reversed the roles as I thought the Christ-like lamb should be the dominant figure.
illustrator - portfolio - Aardema, John - lydia jane-Two of my ex-neighbors (they moved, I’m still here) had a baby they named Lydia Jane. Her mother is Chinese and her father is Dutch. So I was wondering about her, and things like, What will she look like when she gets older? What color will her hair be, her eyes, her skin? And what will it be like the first time she visits relatives in China? Will she find it strange, or wonderful? In this piece, I wanted to make the background as interesting as the subject, without losing the focus of the main character. I’ve also been experimenting with a more delicate line, with less emphasis on heavy inks.
childrensillustrators.com - illustrator - John Aardema - the ramayana childrensillustrators.com - illustrator - John Aardema - the ramayana
childrensillustrators.com - illustrator - John Aardema - the ramayana
childrensillustrators.com - illustrator - John Aardema - the ramayana
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