Teresa N. Fischer: Oz

Thursday, January 22, 2015

Oz

36" x 18"

oil on panel
SOLD

The Wonderful Wizard of OZ is a children's novel written by L.Frank Baum. It was originally published on May 17, 1900.

The story chronicles the adventures of Dorothy Gale in the Land of Oz. In 1902 it was adapted for a Broadway musical. In 1939 the popular film adaption made history.

Many people don't realize Baum went on to write thirteen additional Oz books. After Baum's death in 1919, Ruth Plumly Thompson continued the series until 1939. List of books.

When my daughter was 4 years old I began collecting the books. I was drawn to both the stories and to how beautifully designed they were with illustrations by John R. Neill.

Inside pages of Tik-Tok of Oz by John R. Neill.

It became a night time routine for my husband to read a chapter or two from these books to our daughter at bedtime. Over the years they have read all the ones we have. She loves these books, and I hope she will always remember her Dad reading them to her. A few times I listened in, he had a grand time with voices of the different characters. I still have more to collect, but I love a good hunt.

John R. Neill illustration from Dorothy and the Wizard of OZ.

The stack of four books in my painting have been sitting in a corner of my studio for a few years, pretty much as they appear here. The graphics on their spines are full of wonderful character designs.

Finally, I had to create a stage for them and share my own adventure in the Land of Oz.

Here are a few details from my painting Oz: