My first introduction to Children’s author and illustrator Lois Ehlert was through her images portrayed in her ever-popular book Chicka Chicka Boom Boom. Years ago, as an assistant in a pre-primary program, I observed how Lois Ehlert’s brightly designed characters captivated children.
Lois Ehlert explored her artistic expressions at an early age. She cited her parents who provided a path toward Lois’s aspirations. Her father was a woodworker while Lois’s mother succeeded as a seamstress. Following her parents’ lead, Lois proceeded to experiment with different mediums from her home. Lois’s father set up an old folding table as a workspace for her.
They made a bargain with me that if I kept working at my artwork on that table, I didn’t have to put things away every day
she recalled in her book Hands, and The Scraps Book: Notes from a Colorful Life. Imagine how emboldened Lois must have felt by her “parent’s bargain.”
Lois Ehlert used scrap remnants from her parent’s projects and then incorporated them into her own. She primarily focused on piecing together individual shapes and three-dimensional objects creating her signature collages. Throughout her life, Lois enhanced her designs adding feathers, fabric swatches and linoleum. She was awarded a scholarship to the Layton School of Art.
After art school, Lois became an apprentice in a design studio delivering illustrations. Her apprenticeship enabled Lois to work in the studio after hours.
In her 50’s Lois shared her love of animals, and the outdoors with children by first illustrating and then authoring her first picture book. She preferred cutting and pasting to drawing and painting. Lois spoke about her technique in simple terms.
She said creating a collage was similar to putting together a puzzle.
Lois Ehlert flourished as one of the most successful collage artists of the 20th century.
She filled her children’s books with vibrant colors and inventive concepts. Her beautiful book jackets sported unusual names like Leaf Man, Holey Moly, Feathers For Lunch, and more. Lois often dressed using the same bold color choices she included in her stories.
On May 25th, 2021 Louis Ehlert passed away from natural causes. Saying goodbye to a celebrated children’s author is difficult. Yet, I remain hopeful that Louis Ehlert’s achievements will have an everlasting positive effect on both children and adults alike.
