The Art of Maira Kalman

Maira Kalman is an illustrator, author, designer and creative force. She brings joy to many people through her whimsical drawings and witty observations about life. When I told my sister that I was interviewing Maira, she immediately emailed saying, "WHAT! I love her so much, so much. I loved her TED talk. I love her drawings - I keep one on the fridge." I have a hunch that many people feel this way about Kalman.

Maira Kalman is equally well known for her children's books including What Pete Ate From A-Z, a story about the infamous dog who eats everything he should not - accordions, cameras, egg beaters, violins - as well as for her adult books and covers for The New Yorker. In 2005 Kalman illustrated The Elements of Style, originally written in 1918 by William Strunk Jr. and E.B. White. The original was a writing style guide and in 2011 was named by Time magazine as "one of the 100 best and most influential books written in English since 1923". The updated illustrated version includes 57 bright, charming illustrations by Kalman which adds to the beauty of this iconic book. Michael Pollan, author of The Omnivore's Dilemma and In Defense of Food, teamed up with Kalman and the two put together an illustrated edition of Food Rules An Eaters Manual. The result is an immensely readable book that you can devour in one sitting.

The latest work from Kalman was released in January 2012 called Looking at Lincoln. This children's book follows a little girl who wants to find out more about the Abraham Lincoln whose legacy is everywhere including the American penny. Fans of the author/illustrator will be pleased to know that Kalman is also curating a show for the Cooper Hewitt Museum in New York in book form which will be published in 2013.

More about Maira Kalman: bit.ly/zRK3eT