Visit the Fantasy Realm As Envisioned By Kinuko Craft
Contents
- About the Artist
- Finding Inspiration in the Forest of Peace
- Must-Have: Kinuko Craft Drawings & Paintings
- Women of Enchantment: 2009 Wall Calendar by Kinuko Y. Craft
- Kinuko Craft as Storyteller
- King Midas and the Golden Touch
- Sleeping Beauty
- More of Kinuko Craft's Storybooks
- Fantasy Art News
- Final Thoughts
About the Artist
A brief overview of K.Y. Craft and her art.
K.Y. Craft was born in Japan in 1940, and lived there until the sixties when she moved to the United States. In the nearly four decades since, Craft has wielded her skill as a consummate painter, building a portfolio of stunning quantity and unrivalled quality. Her artwork has appeared in numerous publications and anthologies, and many of her paintings grace the covers of some of today's most popular fantasy novels. She is the winner of several awards in the field of illustration, and her original paintings are highly sought after by collectors.
Kinuko Craft met her husband, Mahlon Craft, while attending the Art Institute of Chicago, and has collaborated with him as well as her daughter Charlotte in some of her creative endeavors. The couple currently resides in Connecticut where they jointly run their graphic design service, Craft Partners.
Finding Inspiration in the Forest of Peace
Joy and revelry in Craft's fantastical world.
"In the Forest of Peace" by K.Y. Craft.
Above is just one example of Craft's work. It was used as the cover art for The Book of Atrix Wolfe by fantasy author Patricia McKillip. I've never read anything by McKillip, but if Craft's amazing cover art is in any way a reflection of McKillip's storytelling prowess, then I must truly be missing out.
In other words, Craft's art is unbelievably inspiring. I used to draw but I haven't been anywhere near a drawing board in years. Seeing this woman's work seriously makes me want to pick up my pencil and start up again.
Kinuko Craft is, in my opinion, a visionary - from the work of her hands to the workings of her soul. You get some insight into that thoughtful soul not only through her art, but also through her rare interviews (read an excerpt here). In every way she fits the classical, romantic archetype of the Artist: one who puts her whole wonderful self into painting after painting, always giving, never tiring, never starved for voice or lyric in the visual poetry that is her work. If I had even a fraction of her creative compulsion, I'd be drawing right now instead of writing this article.
It is my hope that you become a fan of this artist, and that you take as much joy from her work as I have over the years.
Must-Have: Kinuko Craft Drawings & Paintings
The collected works of Kinuko Y. Craft
Women of Enchantment: 2009 Wall Calendar by Kinuko Y. Craft
Kinuko Y. Craft is well known for her paintings of enchanting goddesses, radiant heroines and mystical female fantasy characters. Craft's Women of Enchantment 2009 Wall Calendar collects twelve months' worth of magical women from new paintings as well as older favorites. Collectors seeking a Kinuko Craft calendar will be pleased with this product.
Women of Enchantment 2009 Wall Calendar (Calendar)
Amazon Price: $13.99 (as of 12/31/2009) 
Kinuko Craft as Storyteller
Storybooks illustrated by Mrs. Craft
King Midas and the Golden Touch
As told by M. Charlotte Craft. Illustrated by K.Y. Craft
Kinuko Craft teams up with her daughter M. Charlotte Craft to produce this charming retelling of the age-old story of King Midas. The younger Craft's simple, elegant prose is well-paired with the elder Craft's gloriously detailed paintings. The ancient Greek tale is given a medieval treatment in Craft's artwork; European-style dress and architecture abound. However, a closer look reveals subtle artistic homages to the story's Greek roots, from the geometric patterns on Midas' robes to the frescoes in the king's dining hall.
King Midas and the Golden Touch
Amazon Price: $6.99 (as of 12/31/2009)
Sleeping Beauty
As told by Mahlon F. Craft. Illustrated By Kinuko Y. Craft
In this rendition of Sleeping Beauty, Kinuko Craft collaborates with her husband, author and graphic designer Mahlon Craft. The artist makes yet another superb showing for herself. Not a single tiny brushstroke or meticulous detail is spared, from the delicate embroidery on the characters' garments to the creatures hidden among the brambles that encase the sleeping princess' tower.
Sleeping Beauty
Amazon Price: (as of 12/31/2009)
More of Kinuko Craft's Storybooks
Fantasy Art News
News and updates on the fantasy art world from Irene Gallo, art director at Tor Books, which is one of the publishers of fantasy novels featuring Kinuko Craft's work.
Fetching RSS feed... please stand byFinal Thoughts
"Painting is my word, my language, my poetry, my therapist, my food - it's everything. It is me, it is who I am."
-K.Y. Craft
Thank you for visiting! To discover more about Kinuko Craft and her work, including her full gallery, new paintings and news on her latest publications, visit her site at KYCraft.com.
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- d-artist d-artist Nov 4, 2008 @ 9:29 am
- I Love Kinuko Craft's art...one of my favorite is the cover of Pegasus...5*
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- Tipi Tipi Oct 31, 2008 @ 8:08 am
- Nice looking at your work, very nice art on this one. You Carmel cake recipe lens still has me hungry for cake...
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- Enchanted_Ways Enchanted_Ways Oct 18, 2008 @ 6:09 pm
- Lovely lens about one of my favorite artists! Thanks for visiting Enchanted Ways!
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- Enchanted_Ways Enchanted_Ways Oct 18, 2008 @ 6:09 pm
- Lovely lens about one of my favorite artists! Thanks for visiting Enchanted Ways!
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- Mortira Mortira Oct 7, 2008 @ 10:02 am
- Wonderful showcase and bio! I just love her artwork. I'm rolling this lens over to my storybook lenses! 5 stars.
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