Lois Ehlert
Lois Ehlert
Grew up in a family “always doing things”
Background
• Grew up in Wisconsin
• Used wood, wire, nails, colorful bits
of fabric as child
• Made collages at treasured card
table, her art spot for supplies and
works in progress
• Graduated Layton School of Art in
Milwaukee
More on Lois Ehlert
• Worked as graphic
designer
• Books are carefully
designed cover to
cover
• Won the Caldecott in
1990 for Color Zoo
Inspiration
• Inspired by nature
and gardening
Mixed Media
• Collage: Uses scissors, paper, rubber
cement, wire, thread, textiles, and
found objects
• Uses Photography
Mixed Media
• Paints her own paper: Feathers for
Lunch
Unusual Materials
• Leafman
• Snowballs
• Market Day
Composition
• Double Page Spreads are common as in
Red Leaf, Yellow Leaf
Composition
• Carefully balanced text with
illustrations as in Top Cat
• Asymmetrical balance
Shapes
• Curved and repeating shapes in
Planting a Rainbow…
Shapes
• Shapes repeated as in Wag a Tail
Unique Book Shapes
Color
• Use of many hues as shown in Planting a
Rainbow
Color
• Bold, complementary colors in Fish Eyes
• Warm, analogous colors in Waiting for
Wings
Texture
Texture in Top Cat & Pie in
the Sky
Technique
Conducts research for accurate depictions
Intricate Page Cuts
• Fish have cut out eyes in counting
book Fish Eyes
Interactive Features
• Recipes, Charts, Directions for
Crafts, Paper Cuts, Invitations to
create
Lois Ehlert: Advice
Provide children with a designated spot for
creating art without having to clear away
works in progress.
• Create art with anything you can find
• Have art supplies ready for when
inspiration strikes