(Girl in the Castle, click image for a larger version)
“Life itself is the most wonderful fairy tale.”
~Hans Christian Andersen
This week’s Friday Favorite firmly evokes the spirit of the fairy tale elements of the Once Upon a Time Challenge, for this week I showcase the art of Nicoletta Ceccoli.
(Catgirl II)
With a mixture of richly colored works and more muted, subtle pieces, the art of Nicoletta Ceccoli offers a variety of images that I am drawn to.
(Lucciola)
Nicoletta Ceccoli is an Italian born children’s illustrator whose work has gained her much fame in her native country. In 2001 she won the prestigious Andersen Prize for Italian Illustrator of the Year. She is a three-time winner of the Award of Excellence from Communication Arts and in 2006 she was awarded the silver medal from the Society of Illustrators (New York).
(24 Xmas)
Her stuff is wonderful, isn’t it? It isn’t surprising to me that I continually find artists who manage to work trees into their creations. There must be something both enjoyable and meaningful about rendering trees in creative ways.
(Uovo)
Nicoletta Ceccoli also works birds into many of her images, another symbolic image that I like to see in art. The above image is especially bizarre. I cannot help but look at it and wonder about the layers of meaning behind each aspect of the image.
(Wishes)
There is an almost angelic, fairytale quality to the soft focus that she achieves with her acrylics.
(Angel)
Though she makes her living as a children’s illustrator, there is an adult sensibility to her work. Her art is very attractive and intriguing without feeling childish, if that makes any sense. Her work is incredibly whimsical and not only evokes nostalgic childhood memories but makes me pause and look deeper for symbolism and meaning.
(Kleodora)
Any time that I see an image with fish and a red-haired girl or woman I cannot help but think of the character of Delirium in Neil Gaiman’s Sandman series and of Tori Amos whom some allege Delirium is based on.
(Biancaneve)
The first time I saw Snow White above I thought it was a painting of a girl surrounded by Poppets! 🙂
(Tamburina)
I enjoy her artwork so much that I will certainly be on the lookout for the children’s books she has illustrated to add to my collection.
While most of the images I am including here are similar thematically and stylistically, a perusal of Nicoletta Ceccoli’s website shows that she has some interesting variations to her style, like with these images from Little Red Riding Hood.
Don’t you just love the wolf? I love how incredibly long and lean he is and the sense of menace the image portrays as his body curves almost entirely around Red, trapping her.
(Fisheye)
I cannot help but smile at the name of the above image and how apt a name for the image it is. This makes me think of the kind of magical dreams one has a child. It also reminds me of Mirrormask…its a fish thing.
(Crows)
And how could I not include Crows? They are, after all, one of my favorite gothic, folklore, mythological creatures. It is such a fantastic image, with the birds flowing out of her hair almost M.C. Escher-like.
(domatrice)
This was the only example of three dimensional work I could find on her site, but boy did I like it. Very creepy and odd. Seems like the kind of bizarre toy one would find in a horror movie. The kind that would be inhabited by some ancient menace.
(Adagia)
Some of her two dimensional work almost looks three dimensional, like Adagia above. Looking at the image and the way she has her posed, it almost looks like she is a music box dancer that you could reach out and put your hand around. Amazing!
(The artist herself)
Notice what she is holding? 🙂
I have so thoroughly enjoyed bringing you the work of the very talented Nicoletta Ceccoli. Stars and fish and birds and trees and castles and wings and crowns and bees–how could her work not be incredible?
As I myself want to own a book featuring the artwork of Nicoletta Ceccoli, I am going to offer you the same opportunity:
Simply leave a comment here by 11:59 p.m. CST Monday, April 28th and your name will be in the drawing to qualify to win:
(Click on the image for more detail about the book)
As always you have the right to share your honest feelings, whether you like it, love it, are indifferent to it, or hate it….or anywhere along the spectrum.
There are many more examples of Nicoletta Ceccoli’s artwork to be seen on the web. You can go to her official site, or check out these great examples of her work:
You will be glad you visited!
Have a wonderful weekend everyone, I hope it is magical!
(Melissae the Queen)
Wow!!
Her pictures are utterly breathtaking. I cannot describe how they make me feel. They grab me and drag me in and conjure other stories beyond the obvious.
My favourites are – whew – most of them – but Grasshopper, Adagia, prigionieri quaggiu and I just want to cuddle Catgirl II as she looks so sad.
Thankyou for introducing me to her
I think she is one of the best and most unique children’s illustrators today. I really admire her work.
Hats off to Nicoletta!
I love that one with the crows. I do like those “evil” birds 🙂
it’s true she’s wonderful! I’ve recently discovered her and ordered some of her picture books in, and a collection of fairy tales. I’m also expecting the girl in the castle inside of the museum, but it’s even better if I can win it:P
i’ve bought also “horns and wrinkles” only because she illustrated it and I’m going to read it soon!
I really love her stuff, she’s one of my favourites. Best Friday Favourite ever 😀
She’s fantastic! I’ve seen people use her images (particularly Crows) as avatars on livejournal, etc. but didn’t know who she was. Thanks for sharing!!
That is a great concept with the girl in the castle in the museum!
Wow now this is fairy tale! My favorites are the fish themed one (probably a Pisces thing). I also liked Catgirl II but I love the cover of the book you’re giving away! Pick me! Pick me! 🙂 Thanks Carl again for keeping it fun and exciting!
I don’t know how you do it, Carl. How do you find this stuff? I love the one of the gnomes!
Ooh this book looks fantastic! Oscar and the Mooncats looks lovely too! Crows, Kleodora, Grasshopper, Flora and Uovo have to be my favourites! Its always a pleasure finding an artist with truly unique work such as this. Breathtaking! I shall definitely be looking out for any work illustrated by her. 🙂
I’ve seen her Girl in the Castle before but the one I know her from you don’t have here.. it’s called Horns and Wrinkles! I just couldn’t afford the hardback but it just came out in paperback… the story sounds cute and she did the cover artwork
Oh wow, another great artist!! I love how her painting style is sort of old-fashioned looking, almost classical, in the sense that underneath the faces, I almost expect to see a ruff collar and an Elizabethan gown, instead of angel wings or a dandelion fluff dress. I swear you’re trying to bankrupt me here, Carl.. all this lovely artwork every Friday, and I want it all!
Just came here from Nymeth’s where she reviewed a book edited by Kate Bernheimer. And last night, I pulled out Horns & Wrinkles with Ceccoli’s gorgeous cover (which is what made me buy the book in the first place) to be my next OUaT read.
Anyway, if ever an artist could have “magical” attached to her work, it would have to be her! I just adore it all…it makes me want to enter into their worlds. Something about Catgirl II really gets to me…but I can’t quite put my finger on it.
Thanks for another great start to a Friday, Carl!
I’ve seen bits and pieces of this woman’s work, but obviously haven’t paid enough attention!
LOVE the ‘Crows’ (wish it were ravens ;-). But if I were to choose just one, it would have to be ’24 Xmas’ because that’s exactly how I feel on December 24th and trees are an important theme for me 🙂
Thanks Carl… great fun!
Thanks for another magical start to Friday!
My daughter was given Nicoletta’s Little Red Riding Hood for Christmas – it quickly became a favorite of our whole family.
My favorite Friday image is “Melissae the Queen” – I love the way she’s used a few muted pinks and yellows to bring the portrait to life…
What an amazing artist! You always introduce me to new work that I love.
Beautiful, amazing…I checked out the other sites and her work is absolutely breathtaking!!! 🙂 I feel like I just went into another world for a little bit! Sure am glad that you do find all “this stuff” – you make the blogging experience fantabulous! 🙂
24 Xmas and Wishes are my favorites; I’m a sucker for almost anything with a Christmas theme and the softness of Wishes really appeals to me right now. LOVE the perspective on Biancaneve, though.
I look forward to your Friday Favorites; I get the urge to do something fun, or I get lost looking through the websites of the artists you feature. Either way, good clean fun. Thanks!
These illustrations are gorgeous. Sometimes I wonder if artists use children’s books as vehicles, because the books that I loved, my kids were often not interested in. I just figure ‘thank goodness I found this book for myself!’
I really love the fireflies on leashes. I try not to look at fireflies too closely because they are not the most beautiful creatures, but from a distance they are magical, and that particular picture certainly is magical for me. Thanks for the great Friday, Carl.
Her work really is amazing and I feel like I’ve loved it for a long time which is a very strange feeling. But I can’t for the life of me think of where I would know her stuff from her. It all has such a familiar feel to it though. It’s incredibly beautiful and fragile and childlike while still being magical, haunting, and incredibly impressive. Another great Friday Favorite!
Hope you and the family have a great weekend Carl!
WOW! Thanks for the introduction to another wonderful artist. I can’t pick just one favorite this time because I love just about everyone of them. Fisheye does remind me of Mirrormask and also I did find domatrice oddly creepy as well. Have a great weekend eveyone!
Jeff: Glad you enjoyed this one!
Chris: I know I’ve seen her work before as well and then I stumbled across it again a month or so ago and put her on the list for a FF.
Kerry: I am sure some artists and authors do just that. I think the illustrators and authors of children’s works that are appealing to adults are ones who, as adults, still have that special connection to the magic of childhood and I think their work speaks to us more as adults because we are also looking at their work from that perspective.
The fireflies on leashes are great, arent’ they?
Rachael: “I get the urge to do something fun, or I get lost looking through the websites of the artist” Me too, that is why I started sharing these in the first place because that was the experience I was having with these great artists I was discovering online.
Kristen: It isn’t hard to stumble across stuff like this once you start looking. I find many artists in the ‘links’ section of other artists’ sites. I also pick up copies of Juxtapoz and Hi Fructose magazines on a pretty regular basis and discover stuff there. Then there are the annual Spectrum art books, the Endicott Studio blog, Irene Gallo’s Art Dept. blog…
Sarah: Thanks, I’m glad! 🙂
Ken: I would love to get my hands on that Red Riding Hood book so that I can look at the rest of the illustrations. I’ll be looking at Half Price and other places for her work.
Tasses: I’d love to see a Ravens mirror image of the Crows image. That would be great!
Debi: Catgirl II is a bit melancholy, isn’t it? I did think that was odd that Nymeth did her post and how it tied in to this one. I actually found copies of Horns and Wrinkles for less than $5 on Amazon and so I added one of those to the order for myself and one for a giveaway here…so now there are 2 books that will be given away at the midnight hour Monday with Nicoletta’s illustrations in them!!!
Asara: I’m trying to bankrupt myself as well! There really is a classic element to her work, you’re right about that.
Deslily: I’m glad you and Debi mentioned that other book so that I could order a copy of it as well.
Ashleigh. Chris. Mariel: I’m so glad you enjoyed this week’s FF. Her work really is incredible. She needs a full fledged, large format art book. I’d snatch that right up.
Karin: It does look like an interesting concept. I cannot wait to see the book.
Heidi: Now that you mention it I think I’ve seen her work as avatars as well. That may be why it seemed familiar when I came across her site a few weeks back.
Nymeth: Thanks! If this is, in your opinion, the best one ever the pressure is on for the next one! 🙂
Valentina: I look forward to your reviews of her books.
Fence: I likes me some ‘evil birds’ as well.
Koldo: I am glad you enjoy her work. I enjoy yours as well and encourage everyone to click over to your site and check it out!
Sally: Sounds like you had a similar experience with her work that I did.
For those of you who are interested in other opportunities to own her work, this site has wonderful postcards and notebooks with her images on them. Unfortunately for those outside of Europe the shipping is a killer. I was going to order some stuff and the shipping was more than the items I was buying. If you are closer for shipping, however, this is some wonderful stuff.
Wow, I love these! I really liked 24Xmas and Fisheye. Her illustrations would definitely add another dimension to any book. Please put me in the drawing. Thanks and have a great weekend!!
Another wonderful find, Carl, I particularly like 24Xmas and will certainly be visiting her site!
Kleodora is my favorite. I like the girl’s face and the contrasting orangy-red against blue.
The artist herself is the most lovely; I want to show my class the wolf when we read LRRH, and Lon Po Po (the Chinese version) next year.
Carl, I love that you post these artists each week! This artist’s work is so very whimsical, and like you, I would love to own something she has illustrated! What a treasure and what talent.
*smiles*
Kim
These are truly amazing, Carl – every time you post one of these I think, ‘This is my favorite” – but this one is the best yet! 🙂
I can’t decide if I like her or not. I think it might be my mood. I find the art a bit dark and I am in a bit of a cheery mood… Not sure what it is really. I am sure if I looked at the same thing at a different time I would have a different reaction. Not to say she is a bad artist or anything, just not what I am in the mood for at the moment… does that make sense…
Kailana: Yea, that makes sense. I certainly see the darkness as it is one of the elements that attracts me to work like this. Not all, but many, of the FF I feature have a dark element somewhere in them. Mood has a lot to do with what we like or don’t at a particular moment in time.
Darla D: It is a great pleasure to discover and share new artists!
Kim: I would certainly take an original of her work! 🙂
Bellezza: That is so cool that you are teaching them the story in both languages.
Katie: I like that one too.
Bride: if you visit all those sites you are certainly in for some wonderful artwork.
Lisa: You’re in!
What beautiful work. I know it’s a bit dark, but somehow it’s very innocent.
wow, her work is stunning…I love Lucciola, Biancaneve and Angel the best. They are magical.
i love the quirky, whimsical nature of her art …. and that slightly skewed perspective – how do I explain ?? not perspective in terms of the actual ‘drawing / painting’ of the works …. but there is an element of darkness that also appeals …. it is the best way I can describe it. My apologies to the artist and you! I keep thinking “James and the Giant Peach” here – and Tim Burton’s cinematic version of the book ….
I hope my name is in the hat!
lady blue
It is indeed Lady Blue. By the way, I love your site and am glad I discovered it through Bellezza. James and the Giant Peach and Tim Burton’s stop motion animation certainly is represented here, there is a kinship between the look of the characters for sure.
Ahh, I’ve had that book on my Amazon wishlist and have heard that it is wonderful! Please add my name to the drawing!
Ahhh – am so glad you understood the ‘heart’ of what i was attempting to describe …
and the feeling is mutual !
l.b.
Vincent, your Friday posts are *so* damaging to my wallet!
I’m so glad you featured Nicoletta Ceccoli! I so adore her world, I feel very close to her girls 🙂
I’ve justr ead the fabulous feedbacks you left me on Etsy! I’m so glad you liked everything! Thank you again 🙂
Hope I am not too late to comment here, I have been away and at my mums the pictures wouldn’t show up for some reason. I love Catgirl, Kleodora, Biancaneve (I see what you mean about the poppets!) and Crows.
No, Thank You Anne-Julie. I know lots of folks who are going to be very happy within the next week!
Rhinoa, nope you’re not too late!
I’m an artist too, and now that I’ve seen Nicoletta Ceccoli’s work it’s going to be a burden to keep from trying to be just like her. It happens every time I find a new artist that I adore.