Cynthia Riordan, Artist, Illustrator
Carol Danaher
Cynthia Riordan, Artist, Illustrator
Creating the illustrations for Teddy's First Pack Trip was an exciting project for me. I love the outdoors and my husband and I are avid dog owners. It is important the illustrations authentically capture the pack trip characters and their adventures. Carol wanted her readers to see and feel the animals and the events. The fact that I know Teddy, his personality and quirks, makes it easier to portray him.
I enjoy painting in Yellowstone, the Tetons, Glacier Park and Yosemite. Art has been central in my life since childhood. I have produced art works with silk screening, mosaics, wood block prints, enameling glass onto copper and weaving. I made custom stained-glass windows, doors and mirrors for clients. For the past 20 years I have been working in oil and pastel painting landscapes and portraits.
The cover illustration is a full color oil painting to attract the curious reader.
The illustrations within the book are drawn in charcoal, pencil and colored pencil. Each is based on photos or a compilation of images from the scene. Below are illustrations from the book. I hope you enjoy them!
Title Page: Teddy's First Pack Trip
"I jump onto Rusty's warm lap."
"Tied to the side of the trailer."
Chapter 3: Trail Ho!
"Two heavy packs are put onto Hobbs"
"We start up the trail into the mountains."
"Horses and Hobbs are thirsty"
"Keeping my nose out of the water."
"They will stay inside their corral."
"Hobbs wants a dust bath"
"I make a warm nest."
"I check on the horses and Hobbs."
"He greets me with a pat."
"I throw myself against the tree."
I pull out a piece of dried meat
I bark fiercely
Rusty moves the saw back and forth
She opens her slicker and puts me inside
"she moves her fly-sishing rod back and forth"
"She lets me smell"
"Rusty has the map open"
"he lunges towards us"