New Yorker/Picture Book Artists: Ian Falconer – Beyond Olivia

At the end of July I created a post on New Yorker cover artists who also did picture books for children.  Well, I showed just a scant hint of some of the covers I have in my possession, and now seems like a good time to bring some others out for one and all to see.  And who better to start off this regular series than fan favorite Ian Falconer: He of the undeniable Olivia.

Falconer’s a particular favorite of the New Yorker, his covers dating back at least until the late 90s.  I could throw a whole bunch of them up here, but what I find interesting about New Yorker artists is how they can sometimes create small series of covers that go undetected unless you place them all together.  Take Falconer’s Easily Shocked Old Lady (or ESOL).  The Easily Shocked Old Lady is a Falconer staple.  She walks through this world of ours with a true fear of changing mores and habits.  Sometimes we identify with her.  Other times we are encouraged to enjoy her squirming.  And the poor woman appears unable to go anywhere without getting a case of the vapors be it . . .

At the museum

In a department store

Skiing

Or even just taking an elevator

The ESOL is a kind of anti-Olivia.  Like Falconer’s most famous pig heroine, the ESOL prefers to wear red and white with some black (though she may try a bit of pink if she’s feeling adventurous).  Her hair is carefully swept back in a “do”, pearl earrings in place.  Sometimes I worry that her feet hurt wearing those black heels (though clearly she’s in good shape if she’s skiing).

There is one cover where a woman who looks a heckuva lot like the ESOL appears and it is Falconer’s cheeriest image.  I’m fond of it because it allows us a glimpse into her personal life.  Gone are the trappings of the New York lifestyle.  She’s clearly on vacation, a fact I ascribe to her hair which has reestablished its natural curl (she probably hasn’t been to her stylist in a while).  She’s still wearing her customary red, but now it’s with stretchy pants and shoes that won’t pinch her anymore.  With her, just as nerdily American, is her husband, waistband making a break for the sky, camera firmly in place.  It’s the happiest I’ve ever seen her.

You get a sense that New York isn’t good for this woman, don’t you?

Falconer’s done a slew of other covers as well, but it seems clear to me that they particularly like to use his skills when a holiday is in full force.  So you’ll see his works during . . .

Valentine’s Day

(can you spot the pre-9/11 cover?)

Thanksgiving

Or Halloween (which really suits him best)

One wonders why there has never been an official Olivia Halloween book.  Clearly he loves that time of year.  Perhaps someday.

Falconer continues to create cover (he had a nice windmill one the other day) but I live in hope that the ESOL will make her reappearance soon.  Or, at the very least, we’ll get a nice Halloween cover out of him this year.

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