The Art of Tasha Tudor: A Retrospective

by Harry Davis

This is the definitive book on Tasha Tudor's art, including more than 150 of her finest paintings and drawings with an informative biographical text.

Genres: Art, Nonfiction, Biography, History, Art History, Reference

168 pages, Kindle Edition

First published January 1, 2000

Reviews

[Sara · Rating 3 out of 5]

I love Tasha' s art and have collected her books for years ( although I've never gotten around to getting a copy of The Night Before Christmas which is funny since she did three editions.) This appreciation book, not sure if I would exactly call it a biography, was fun. I did learn a lot, but felt like I should have learned more. it was published in 2000. Tasha died in 2008. Had it been published posthumously perhaps Davis would have been a bit more revealing.

[Oleksandra Orlova · Rating 5 out of 5]

Це напрочуд красиве видання, багате на ілюстрації та художні роботи Таші Тюдор, розповідає читачеві про неї саме як про мисткиню, а про її особисте життя, оселі і садівництво тут згадано побіжно. Втім, це справедливо, з огляду на назву. Гаррі Девіс - особистий біограф Таші розповідає про її творчий шлях, послуговуючись не стільки дослідженнями, скільки власними спостереженнями і розмовами з авторкою, з якою вони були дуже близькі на схилі її життя.
Таша Тюдор народилася у Бостоні 1915-го року, і з дитинства щиро полюбила сільське життя, хоча доля не раз закидала її в американські мегаполіси. Більше того, вона відчувала себе чужинкою у своєму часі та мріяла жити в вікторіанську епоху. Зрештою в 1938-му році вона вийшла заміж і перебралася на справжню ферму подалі від цивілізації. Тут вона могла насолоджуватися сільським життям, не цураючись важкої праці, присвячувати себе сім'ї та живопису, до якого мала хист з дитинства. Тоді ж у 38-му році вийшла перша її книга "Pumpkin Moonshine", яка вирішила подальшу долю Таші, як авторки текстів та ілюстрацій.
Її доробок - більше сотні ілюстрованих дитячих видань, різдвяні листівки та адвент-кадендарі, а ще вона власноруч створювала лялькові будиночки та предмети декору. Чоловік покинув дивачку Ташу з чотирма дітьми на фермі, де не було навіть водопроводу та електрики, проте були корова, кури, гуси, качки. І Таша вистояла. З неймовірним терпінням і покорою долі, зі скромною усмішкою вона виростила дітей і стала всесвітньо відомою ілюстраторкою.
На схилі віку Таша оселилася у Вермонті, в крихітному будиночку з садом, де влаштувала справжній вікторіанський світ, у якому були відсутні очевидні побутові винаходи технічного прогресу, але знайшлося місце для ткацького верстата, старовинної пічки й дров'яного каміну. Щодня Таша влаштовувала чаювання зі смаколиками та домашнім варенням, майстер-класи з виготовлення ляльок та квіткових композицій, а також читання вголос для сусідських дітлахів. Малювання залишалося її пристрастю до кінця життя, але крім того Таша колекціонувала предмети вікторіанського одягу, обожнювала свій сад (він був абсолютно фантастичний!) та маленьких симпатичних песиків породи корґ (вони повсякчас зустрічаються в її ілюстраціях і навіть отримали окрему серію книжок). У 2008-му році її не стало, але будиночок у Вермонті не спорожнів: там мешкає онучка Таші - Емі, яка доглядає за садом та підтримує родинний проект Тюдорів.
Я вже давно маю кілька книжок авторства Таші, а це біографічне видання ще більше переконало мене у доцільності збирати колекцію. Девіс цікаво розповідає про роботу Таші над різними книжками, про її ставлення до живопису і власних робіт, про техніки, що їй подобалися і речі, що її надихали.

[Heather · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is an interesting book for those interested in the life of Tasha Tudor. Unlike many books about Tudor that cast her as a sort of 'magical granny' living in her garden with not a care in the world, this book, written by her one-time assistant makes her seem more like a real human being. It also reveals some surprising issues about her childhood, marriage (and divorce) as well as her real personality.
Although the book seems sort of 'tell-allish' it is never malicious. The author still has warm feelings for Tudor. And reading this didnt make me admire Tudor any less (I was a bit relieved to find that she's had her trials and tribulations and cranky moments just like the rest of us) however, it seems some of his 'direct quotes' and 'cute stories' are repeated almost word for word from other books or articles written on Tudor. I was just surprised that someone who was her close friend wouldnt have more original antidotes, but perhaps he was trying not too tell on her too much or get himself into legal trouble. Who knows. But if you're a Tudor fan, I suggest this very easy read filled with nice art work.

[Gina House · Rating 5 out of 5]

Even if you are unfamiliar with Tasha Tudor, you will be drawn into and become mesmerized by the art in this beautiful book. Harry Davis does a wonderful job of sharing the life of Tasha Tudor as both an artist and a real person. There are anecdotes to enjoy along with fascinating facts about her life and her family.

One of the things I love about a book is when I not only enjoy the story and possible illustrations, but that I also learn something from it. This book has it all! I learned so much about this eccentric and talented author and illustrator that I never knew before. Each page is a delight with information and gorgeous Tasha Tudor artwork.

I adored this book so much and I'm sure to read it over and over again. It's one of the best books (besides The Private World of Tasha Tudor) in my collection. This book brought so much joy, comfort, and hope into my life. Highly, highly recommended!

[Lenore Kuipers-Cummins · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book was a find! I have always loved Tasha Tudor's illustrations in books that I read, but this book gives the reader so much insight into her background and experiences...things that influenced her art significantly.
She has not only illustrated books, but has done art paintings, prints and has had exhibitions everywhere, especially one in Williamsburg at the Abby Aldrich Rockefeller Folk Art Center where she was honored in 1996.
Not only is she an illustrator, but she is known for the books she has written, her gardens, and her collection of 1830's clothing.
She has produced more than 10,000 pieces...paintings, drawings, holiday cards, and fashion designs for Pierre Deux. She also raised her own food, spun and wove her family's clothes.
Over 150 of her finest pieces are featured in the book.
This book is definitely a keeper!

[Micebyliz]

What a delightful book. I didn't remember though that her mother was a portrait painter; her paintings are lovely.
I remember that my mother liked Tasha Tudor from the illustrations in The Secret Garden and other books. It all seems like a long time ago that those pictures were portraying a time gone by when people were kinder and more compassionate. I do like the ones of animals doing things, although i didn't quite get the corgi passion :)
It's so sweet that her children were her models for many of her paintings...

[Annie Kate · Rating 4 out of 5]

Objectively speaking, the book is very well done, the writing engaging, and the quality of the prints good. It is a valuable addition to Tasha Tudor lore.

Tasha does beautiful artwork but, influenced by her parents, she spells God N-A-T-U-R-E. She wants to do whatever is not allowed, to live her own way, and this is so sad. Because I have long been inspired by her, this was difficult for me.

[Sheryl Branscombe · Rating 5 out of 5]

I really enjoyed thumbing through this book and learning all about Tasha Tudor while thumbing through the artwork from various stages of her life. I have always enjoyed the nostalgic homey feel of her drawings and learning the stories behind some of them was very interesting. I also really liked the authors way of telling about Tasha. Because he knew her so well this didn't feel like a fun of the mill biography.

[Madame Jane · Rating 5 out of 5]

Tasha Tudor had the greatest paintings for books like A Little Princess, The Secret Garden, and The Night Before Christmas. I loved the whimsical illustrations that were greatly detailed. She continued painting into her 80s; she let us six decades of timeless work.

[Natalie · Rating 5 out of 5]

I love Tasha Tudor's art, so I can't believe it has taken me this long to read this lovely book all about her art and creativity. She was an interesting person and not everything she had to say do I agree with, but I sure love her art and picture books.

[Jennifer · Rating 4 out of 5]

Can I go live in a Tasha Tudor painting? I absolutely love her art and really enjoyed this mini biography of her. She was a very interesting person (as all artists are).

[ThePinkCarrot · Rating 5 out of 5]

Nice artwork included in the pages, sprinkled with stories of Tasha and her family.

[Karla Sheridan · Rating 4 out of 5]

I’ve appreciated Tudor’s beautiful artwork for many years and enjoyed reading this biographical take which included many of her works.

[A · Rating 4 out of 5]

I liked this book because of the way the author portrayed Tudor: not as a perfect little granny, but a human with flaws just like the rest of us. I've always been drawn to this author because of her Vermont roots (I'm a native Vermonter born and raised). However, I never knew much about her, and her life really fascinated me. The illustrations used as examples of her work are absolutely stunning, just like all of Tudor's work. I'd definitely recommend this to anyone who has grown up reading Tasha Tudor's storybooks.

[Cheryl · Rating 5 out of 5]

I love children's author and illustrator Tasha Tudor! Her drawings are just precious and her stories are very sweet and old-fashioned, yet they have a timeless quality about them as well. This book tells a bit about the life of Tasha Tudor, and features lots of her wonderful art. I gleaned lots of interesting little tidbits from this book, such as how Tasha was a perfectionist and somewhat insecure about her art--she would actually burn drawings that she did not feel represented her best work! I have many of Tasha's children's books, yet I was introduced to some that I was not yet familiar with through reading this book. This is a good book to page through and come back to again and again!

[Ellen · Rating 4 out of 5]

Tasha's work is/was always exquisite. Her illustrations are as engaging and lively now as they were when she did them and I love them as much today as I did when I was very small. I still have my copy of "The Doll's House" by Rumer Godden which not only is rendered beautifully but helped me to believe that my dolls and stuffed animals secretly were real...weren't/aren't they? This is an easy read, an overview of the life of a masterful Illustrator, mimicked by others today. I love that many of her illustrated works are still considered to be the classic editions of some of Children's best known stories.
One reads this book to look at the illustrations! The illustrations are plentiful so it doesn't disappoint.

[Sarah Smith]

Halfway between nostalgic and scary. Tasha Tudor was a very talented artist who chose to live her life as if she lived in, say, rural 1850. And she made her children live the same way. One suspects they crafted their own toothpaste and toothbrushes.

Harry Davis starts out fascinated with her; by the end of the book there's a mismeeting of the minds, though he doesn't say much about it.

She lived into her 90s.

When I was a child, I adored THE DOLLS' CHRISTMAS, but still, one would love to make her a character.

[Cat · Rating 2 out of 5]

Really frustrating, as the author switches back and forth from present to past tnese-describing things that happened in the 60's in the present tense,and then more recent things in past tense. Plus, I'm only slightly familiar with Tudor's work, and this book assumed I was familiar with her entire catalog-I could hope for many more illustrations. Every time the author said "everyone has seen such-and-such illustration" I wanted to scream.

[Evie · Rating 5 out of 5]

She's such a talented, heartwarming woman. I'm so thankful my librarian told me about her and gave me this book to read! What's most inspiring, I think, about Tasha Tudor is that she made her fantasy a reality. She was not so wrapped up in her own mind that she forgot practicality; she worked relentlessly to support her family, ran a farm, illustrated, and never deemed herself an artist. Tasha Tudor can be compared with Beatrix Potter as well, but she is a character all her own.

[Helena · Rating 5 out of 5]

A neat look at both Tasha Tudor's art and her personality. Kind of sad, though, as she just passed away not too long ago.

[Cindy · Rating 4 out of 5]

Beautiful art and a short bio of the glorious childrens artist. A treasure to view her work.

[Kirsten · Rating 3 out of 5]

I LOVE the artwork, the text not so much though at times it is interesting.

[Heidi · Rating 3 out of 5]

My friend Maryann introduced me to Tasha Tudor recently. What I appreciate most about her is her authenticity and her ability to live the life she desired in spite of the world around her.

[Callista · Rating 5 out of 5]

I love Tasha Tudor. She is such an inspiration.

[Michele · Rating 4 out of 5]

Been a Tasha Tudor fan forever..this was a great insight into the artist and I got to see lots and lots of her wonderful artwork.

[Nicole · Rating 3 out of 5]

Lots of great eye candy. The writing was so-so.