Mary GrandPre
The Enquirer - March 24, 2005
Mary GrandPre has been busy as an illustrator for decades. But her drawings and paintings of a certain boy wizard have become as iconic as Minnie and Mickey Mouse, the first characters she drew as a child. GrandPre's cover for the American edition of "Harry Potter and the Half-Blood Prince," the sixth book in British author J.K. Rowling's chart-busting series, was unveiled this month (the book will be released July 16). Ditto her promotional artwork for Cincinnati Opera's summer productions of "La Boheme," "Rigoletto" and "The Barber of Seville." It's the third year she has worked with the company, whose season schedule is out with full-colour reproductions of her art. GrandPre was working on a "secret" project (can you say Harry Potter?) as she talked from her Sarasota, Fla., studio.
Favourite children's book illustrator: I have a favourite artist, Marc Chagall. His work is so dreamy and fun.
Favourite book as a child: "Peter Pan." It was big and magical.
I love Harry because: When JK invented Harry, she found parts of every kid and put them in him. He is vulnerable and alone, at times he doesn't feel like the most popular kid.
Restrictions in working on a Harry book: I am not allowed to talk about it. This is not your average job in the way it is delivered, done - there is nothing normal.
Time allocated for Harry books is: Not much! Maybe a month and that includes reading it, doing cover and chapter sketches, and creating the final art.
On dealing with J.K. Rowling: Everything goes through Scholastic (the American publisher). I have only met her once; right after book three came out. She said she was happy with the art.
Similarities between Harry Potter and opera: There is storytelling and drama.
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