Rob Ryan (1) (1962–)

I'm always fascinated to learn why artists choose a specific medium, especially when the answers come down to practical limitations rather than lofty aesthetics. In art school, Rob Ryan found that he had a tendency to not know when a work was finished. If he was painting, he would keep painting past the image's prime state. When he started working with paper cuts, Ryan found himself helpfully limited by the size of the page—at some point, he would simply run out of space.

Ryan also show more discusses frequent motifs in his work, such as birds, string, ladders, and the use of image and text in combination. All in all, this book is a beautiful collection of art and a fascinating exploration of one artist's philosophy. Highly recommended! show less

Adult (nonfiction). A tale of loneliness and waiting, as told by one man through his exquisitely crafted papercutting. Pretty depressing, really, but meant (I think) to be uplifting. Lovely artwork nonetheless.

The young king has left the palace and must find his way in the city. An older man guides him to a food truck, where he meets June, and he introduces himself to her as John. John begins to help June, then finds a job in a cafe. But Lord Von Dronen is after him, and just as everything is beginning to go right for John - a job at the cafe, his own small room, a budding romance with June, to whom he tells the truth - Von Dronus captures him.

Quotes

That night he had a strange dream....His mind show more spoke to his body and told it, "I will protect you," and in reply his body spoke to his mind and said, "I will protect you."

In a strange way he felt that because he had no place to call his own, he considered anywhere and everywhere in the city his home.

"You grow up and become a man when you begin to put other people before yourself." (Big Jim to John)

"People are so funny. They really want to help, but at first they feel too shy and awkward." (June to John)

"Some of the folk that come to the van tell you everything that's ever happened to them almost immediately, but then some people never say a single word. Everybody has a story to tell, but it's up to them whether they want to share it." (June to John) show less

A young prince grows up in a castle, the only child surrounded by adults, rarely seeing his father and mother (the king and queen). Before the king dies, he gives his son a key, and the son, who has been sneaking out of the castle at night via a trapdoor to the attic in his room, finds a special place in the city. When his tutor chases him, he decides never to return to the castle. Book 1 of 3!

Gorgeous cut paper illustrations, like Arthur Rackham's for Cinderella.