HARRIET PECK TAYLOR
SCHOOL PRESENTATIONS
Harriet demonstrating the batik process for a class
I am available to do workshops or lectures for your school or organization. I really enjoy this as it gives me the opportunity to meet readers of my books and, hopefully, inspire some of the students to follow their creative dreams.
I do a variety of things during the day that might include a slide show
exploring the creative process and the steps involved in writing and
illustrating a picture book. Part of the presentation is an interactive "show
and tell". I show some of my elementary school age art along with some of
my earliest books and talk about how I became interested in reading,
writing, and art. I discuss the importance of American Indian legends and
where animals fit into those tales and into my life. I share some of my
stories, where the ideas came from, the importance of research, why they
inspired me, and the challenges that each story presented. Students love
watching me draw and so, sometimes, I'll draw on an easel while a
volunteer reads one of my books.
I bring with me for display and discussion such items as rough manuscripts,
book dummies, drawings, finished illustrations, and the tools used in
creating my illustrations. I work in a very unusual art form called batik.
There are very few illustrators in the United States who work in batik and so
students find this ancient process fascinating. They'll see some of the tools
and fabric and learn how a batik is created. They'll also see how an idea
becomes a story, and then finally a book, and hopefully, discover new ways
in which their own ideas might become books. If time allows, I can do an
art workshop where they can watch and participate in the creation of a batik.
Reviews from students and staff:
"Students marveled at Taylor's ease at creating eye-catching color. By the
end of four hours of demonstrations, Taylor had created a desert-like scene
with a gray wolf in the foreground and butterflies, a sunset, and a
mountainous landscape in the background. Her work was filled with almost
every color of the rainbow. Students were amazed by the uniqueness of
batik. 'I think it was awesome,' said April Gorenc, an Ashwaubenon senior.
'I've never seen anything like it.' " Green Bay Press-Gazette October 24,
1997
"What fun we had getting to know you and your beautiful work. Your visit
will long be remembered by our Shawsheen Thunderbird students and staff.
All the students wanted to talk about on Friday was the many things they
heard and learned from you." Media Specialist, Shawsheen Elementary
School, Greeley, CO
"Thank you for coming to our school. I want to thank you for telling us how
you did your work from writing books. My favorite books were all of them.
And one day I wish I can become a author like you." Danesha (Student),
Lantern Lane Elementary, Mo City, TX
"Thank you so very much for giving of yourself to the kids of Valley View
School. Our son, Taylor, will forever be touched by your kindness and
interest in his art work! It is a memory that will forever be etched in his
mind! Thank you for making a difference." Parent, Valley View
Elementary School, Green Bay, WI
Rates for workshops and lectures depend on the number of presentations and
travel. You can email me at: hptjessie@hotmail.com
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