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Picture A Letter (page 4) by Brad Sneed
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  • Brad Sneed

  • Picture A Letter (page 4)

  • Mixed Media Painting

  • Framed
  • 10 " x 13.5 "
  • Original illustration created for the picture book, Picture A Letter, published in 2002
    by Phyllis Fogelman Books.

    Jacket flap copy excerpt:
    In this clever and amusing wordless alphabet book, viewers are challenged to decipher pictures into... words! A flying acrobat swinging through the air forms a letter A. Take a closer look and you will also find an archer aiming an arrow, an ape playing an accordion, an astronaut carrying an alligator, and aliens flying airplanes. Every letter has a picture - a funny, whimsical scene of actions and objects that all have something in common: their first letter.

    Art note from Brad:
    When pressed to pick a favorite among all my books, I choose Picture A Letter. I love typography/letterforms. Here, I was able to turn a letterform into a picture (oh, and that picture had to begin with that letter). My process was to type an individual letter using an extra bold typeface on a single sheet of paper, and stare at it. Eventually a picture would form in my mind’s eye - the uppercase letter A turned into an acrobat flipping through the air in pike position. I decided to illustrate each letter in color and surround it with a black-and-white drawing. The drawing portion of each illustration would be packed with elements or actions beginning with that letter. The only limiting factor was that letter. Otherwise, I was free to let my imagination run free. So. Much. Fun!
  • $835