Rebecca Harrison Reed

My artwork has always been narrative, and it is inspired by my love of a good story. I create my strongest work when I am able to develop a deep passion for the characters, story, and setting in the books I illustrate and write. And I enjoy escaping completely into the worlds I create for my characters. I tend to gravitate toward intelligent stories that are classical, historical, dark, or mysterious, as well as stories with true heart and characters. Humor is also a prevalent element in my work.
Stylistically, my illustrations tend to be somewhat realistic, traditional fine art paintings with a slightly stylized, childlike feel. My artwork is frequently influenced by the works of John Singer Sargent, Edwin Austen Abbey, Rembrandt Van Rijn, and numerous children’s book illustrators. I have recently found a new home working in pastel on black paper, which has allowed me to work quickly and loosely, and has also opened up my imagination to story ideas and illustrations in areas I may not have previously explored.

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  Title: Moon Princess
  Caption: Moon Princess
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  Title: TheShowIsOver
  Caption: The Show Is Over
  Description: Inspired by the works of John Singer Sargent, this illustration is from a new book that I’ve written and illustrated about a vaudeville magician.
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  Title: TheMystic1
  Caption: The Mystic
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  Title: Mary Cassatt Worlds Fair
  Caption: Mary Cassatt at the World's Fair
  Description: Young Mary Cassatt sees the works of French artists Degas, Delacroix, and Ingres, among others, for the first time at the Paris World's Fair of 1855.
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  Title: Mary Cassatt Balloon Ride
  Caption: Mary Cassatt Balloon Ride
  Description: Later that night, Mary Cassatt dreamed of flying in one of the hot air balloons she had seen at the World’s Fair.
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  Title: MrsFezziwigsFig
  Caption: Mrs. Fezziwig's Fig
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  Title: AsleepInTheMoonlight
  Caption: Asleep in the Moonlight
  Description: This illustration is from a new picture book I wrote and illustrated.
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  Title: Alice Card Dance
  Caption: Alice's Cards
  Description: From "Alice's Adventures in Wonderland" by Lewis Carroll
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  Title: AlicesMirror
  Caption: Alice's Mirror
  Description: From "Through the Looking-Glass" by Lewis Carroll
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  Title: Candle in the Dark
  Caption: Candle in the Dark
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  Title: TowingHerHouse
  Caption: In for a Ride...
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  Title: DutchPirate3
  Caption: Dutch Pirate
  Description: I’m a fan of Johannes Vermeer, and this piece is inspired by his painting entitled “Officer and Laughing Girl." I’ve always wondered what the officer’s face looked like, so I decided to turn him around and cast him in this scene as a pirate.