Lois Ehlert

Lois Ehlert

Grew up in a family “always doing things”

Background

• Grew up in Wisconsin• Used wood, wire, nails, colorful bits

of fabric as child• Made collages at treasured card

table, her art spot for supplies and works in progress

• Graduated Layton School of Art in Milwaukee

More on Lois Ehlert

• Worked as graphic designer

• Books are carefully designed cover to cover

• Won the Caldecott in 1990 for Color Zoo

Inspiration

• Inspired by nature and gardening

Mixed Media• Collage: Uses scissors, paper, rubber

cement, wire, thread, textiles, and found objects

• Uses Photography

Mixed Media• Paints her own paper: Feathers for

Lunch

Unusual Materials

• Leafman• Snowballs• Market Day

Composition• Double Page Spreads are common as in

Red Leaf, Yellow Leaf

Composition• Carefully balanced text with illustrations

as in Top Cat• Asymmetrical balance

Shapes• Curved and repeating shapes in

Planting a Rainbow…

Shapes

• Shapes repeated as in Wag a Tail

Unique Book Shapes

Color• Use of many hues as shown in Planting a

Rainbow

Color

• Bold, complementary colors in Fish Eyes• Warm, analogous colors in Waiting for

Wings

Texture

Texture in Top Cat & Pie in the Sky

Technique Conducts research for accurate depictions

Intricate Page Cuts

• Fish have cut out eyes in counting book Fish Eyes

Interactive Features

• Recipes, Charts, Directions for Crafts, Paper Cuts, Invitations to create

Lois Ehlert: AdviceProvide children with a designated spot for

creating art without having to clear away works in progress.

• Create art with anything you can find• Have art supplies ready for when inspiration

strikes