By Abby Wilson
Maine-based illustrator Gail Clark has published a new children’s book about her two adventurous French bulldogs, Eloise Violet and Madeline Rose, and debuted her picture book during a book-signing event at Sherman’s Maine Coast Book Shop in Windham on Dec. 10.
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| Maine-based illustrtaor Gail Clark shows a copy of her new children's book The Adventures of Eloise Violet and Madeline Rose: The Island which made its debut during a book signing event at Sherman's Maine Coast Book Shop in Windham on Dec. 10. PHOTO BY ABBY WILSON |
The story is told through tremendous illustration and rhymes. Readers are introduced to the canine characters of Eloise Violet and Madeline Rose and as the story unfolds, Madeline Rose is revealed to be the troublesome one while Eloise Violet is along for the ride.
These dogs sneak away from their owners and meet other wild characters such as porcupines, deer and gophers.
They find their way across a river and onto a small island.
Clark said there is truth in this story. The Adventures of Eloise Violet and Madeline Rose: The Island was written by Clark to commemorate the silliness of her original two bulldogs who were always escaping off to the island. She says “the dogs were too funny, I had to write a children’s book.”
There is much humor in this book, with the tale focusing on silliness and adventure. Eloise and Madeline explore the great outdoors and try not to get snatched by the “dog-catcher.” Of course, the dogs always return safely. Clark says this is how all children’s stories must end.
She has been an artist for as long as she can remember. Filling sketchbooks and drawing everything, she knew at a young age she wanted to be a professional artist. She has carried this creativity through her life and now has both undergraduate and master’s degrees in painting.
In her career, Clark has focused a lot of her work on large pieces, playing with light and architecture. She enjoys the complexity but also the ability to use her imagination.
Clark has displayed her work solo and in group shows. She has been chosen for national juried exhibitions. Her primary medium is oil yet she often uses watercolor and pencil.
Clark believes that variety is good and that if you have variety in your life you can also have variety in your art. After studying as a classically trained painter, she is using those skills and her imagination to create whimsical pieces of art. Clark hopes others can feel the joy in her work that she feels while she is creating it.
She also has a degree in education and was a teacher. Clark felt inspired by her Kindergarten through 12th grade students and their childhood youthfulness. She has opened up her studio to instruct people of all ages and has taught both abstract and traditional painting.
Her love of art, creativity, imagination and curiosity has made it a natural fit to write a children’s book.
Clark’s home lays beside a river with a waterfall and an island- the very island that is featured in this book. She says animals and scenery have always been an inspiration to her.
She paints vivid pictures of her backyard, animals and scenes such as harbors, farms and boats. Much of Clark’s art work celebrates the seasons with snow covered trees, flowers and other natural wonders.
Today, Clark resides at her studio in Yarmouth with her husband and two French bulldogs. Dogs have always been an important part of her life. Each of her dogs have been trained and certified with the Alliance of Therapy Dogs, providing much comfort to others. They often visit Maine Medical Center and nursing homes in the Portland area.
Clark has dedicated her book to therapy dogs, “who bring smiles and joy to people everywhere they go”.
You can order your copy of Gail Clark’s picture book and check out her work at www.gailclark.com. The new book is also available at Sherman’s Maine Coast Book Shop in Windham. <
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