Cultural Arts Background Information
Eric Carle: Artist
Eric Carle was born in Syracuse, New York in 1929. He moved to Germany when he was six years old, where he studied at the
Academy of Visual Arts. He followed his dream and moved back to the United States in 1952, where he worked first worked as a graphic
designer and then as an art director of an advertising agency. Bill Martin, established educator and author, asked Carle to illustrate a
book that he had written. This book, Brown Bear, Brown Bear, What Do You See? was the result of their partnership. This, still famous today,
book is what really jumpstarted Carle’s career. Carle went on to write and illustrate many popular children’s books, including The Very
Hungry Caterpillar from 1969, which has been translated into 60 languages and sold over 38 million copies.
As an artist, Carle uses the technique of collage. He paints over tissue paper with paints using a variety of utensils, including
brushes, sponges, and sometimes even his fingers. He cuts shapes into the paper after it has dried to make the different part of his
illustrations.
Growth and discovery are themes that you will see often in Carle’s books. Most of his book characters are animals. Carle believes
this is because when he was younger, his dad would take him on walks in the forest and stop and look at all of the animals and insects
living there. They would discuss how these animals live and grow.
“The secret of Eric Carle’s books’ appeal lies in his intuitive understanding of and respect for children, who sense in him instinctively
someone who shares their most cherished thoughts and emotions.” (http://www.eric-carle.com/bio.html)
Sources:
http://www.eric-carle.com/bio.html
http://www.rasmussen.edu/student-life/online-community/eric-carle/
http://www.scholastic.com/teachers/contributor/eric-carle
Academy of Visual Arts. He followed his dream and moved back to the United States in 1952, where he worked first worked as a graphic
designer and then as an art director of an advertising agency. Bill Martin, established educator and author, asked Carle to illustrate a
book that he had written. This book, Brown Bear, Brown Bear, What Do You See? was the result of their partnership. This, still famous today,
book is what really jumpstarted Carle’s career. Carle went on to write and illustrate many popular children’s books, including The Very
Hungry Caterpillar from 1969, which has been translated into 60 languages and sold over 38 million copies.
As an artist, Carle uses the technique of collage. He paints over tissue paper with paints using a variety of utensils, including
brushes, sponges, and sometimes even his fingers. He cuts shapes into the paper after it has dried to make the different part of his
illustrations.
Growth and discovery are themes that you will see often in Carle’s books. Most of his book characters are animals. Carle believes
this is because when he was younger, his dad would take him on walks in the forest and stop and look at all of the animals and insects
living there. They would discuss how these animals live and grow.
“The secret of Eric Carle’s books’ appeal lies in his intuitive understanding of and respect for children, who sense in him instinctively
someone who shares their most cherished thoughts and emotions.” (http://www.eric-carle.com/bio.html)
Sources:
http://www.eric-carle.com/bio.html
http://www.rasmussen.edu/student-life/online-community/eric-carle/
http://www.scholastic.com/teachers/contributor/eric-carle
Pictures from: https://img1.etsystatic.com/019/0/8500348/il_fullxfull.494179573_ihxu.jpg
http://indulgy.ccio.co/aB/q4/ZA/8796161742069478MX5yxoyhc.jpg
http://indulgy.ccio.co/aB/q4/ZA/8796161742069478MX5yxoyhc.jpg