Topic: Present Magazine: Scribe – Adventure and Adaptation
- Apr 5, 2007 12:34am by NRG - livin the art that is life !
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Scribe – Adventure and Adaptation
The Artist and Author's First Children’s Book
Story by Pete Dulin, Art by Scribe.
2007-03-08
http://www.presentmagazine.com/full_content.php?article_id=439&full=yes&pbr=4
Scribe has made his distinctive mark again. The talented artist and illustrator channeled boundless talents and imagination into his first children’s book titled There’s an Octopus Under My Bed. Scribe, also known as D. Ross, has produced a creative oeuvré that extends from his 39th Street studio to streetscapes and galleries in Kansas City, to a hip hop/graffiti community that spans the nation, and even to international fans of his online work. He has transformed countless surfaces and objects with his colorful, expressive animal-based characters including a rhino as his signature totem. His book not only captures a visually rich style and symbolism on the printed page, but also records key life lessons acquired in his role as a father.
The Book
There’s an Octopus Under My Bed is a tale that recounts the adventures of a young, green-furred rabbit named Elijah. The character, based on Scribe’s oldest son, spends time adventuring with his blanket Boo Boo and stuffed animal Rhino Rumpus. When Rumpus comes up missing, Elijah’s mom introduces a red octopus named Manos. The storyline becomes a quest as the rabbit and octopus head out on distant travels beyond the safety of a bedroom.
The story of Elijah is set in the familiarity of home and the vibrant flora and fauna of the distant Galapagos Islands. Some creative embellishments add intrigue and detail to the story that invite readers to imagine how some secondary characters came to be, but those are stories for another book. The artwork is lush and full of depth, drawing the eye into the scene and across the page.
Close inspection of the scenery throughout the story reveals graffiti artwork by Scribe’s peers including Jason Brunson, Ewok 5 mh, and Este as a nod to their inspiration. Scribe’s mentor, East, produced the book’s cover lettering. The end sheets within the book display the word “octopus†drawn in the stylized vernacular of several graffiti artists. The inclusion of “street art†in an illustrated children’s book is not only an homage paid to Scribe’s origins, but also a statement about how graffiti can be elevated to a meaningful form with “positive, creative energy.â€
“Without including graffiti, it would feel like leaving part of me behind. It’s a tie to my past,†says Scribe.
Another informative page describes the Galapagos Islands setting, the animals that reside there, and the characters in the book tied to this place. The book’s theme of adaptation relates to this backdrop where Charles Darwin conducted his studies and later developed the theory of natural selection.
above: Scribe, Alisa, Elijah, and Jonas.
The Author
Throughout his career, Scribe has invested his characters, such as his signature rhino portrayed in graffiti and gallery work, with traits and qualities that are more than symbolic to a degree. Some characters represent attributes that require growth and change in Scribe as he faced personal challenges as a maturing artist and adult.
In the book, Manos the Octopus lends a helping hand by making a new friend in Elijah the Rabbit. The word manos means “hand†in Spanish. Naturally, an octopus character visually embodies the idea of a helping hand central to the story.
Scribe developed other characters like Elijah the Rabbit based on his experiences as a father. The themes make the story both universal and personal. The book taps into behaviors that Scribe and his first son grapple with firsthand at home––the security of a blanket, a child’s sense of play, resistance to change, natural curiosity, adaptation, and the challenges of growing as a child and parent. Much of the artwork pictured in this story (not found in the book) portrays Elijah the Rabbit adopting different roles just as a young boy would. The depictions not only demonstrate Scribe's ability to create well-rounded characters that connect with real-life experiences, but also hint at the affection and joy Scribe feels for his son.
“Looking at my son, I thought about how to be a dad and what to teach him. There were qualities I wanted to pass on that I needed to work on,†says Scribe. He describes an example where Elijah doesn’t want to let go of his blanket and its significance. Meanwhile, other objects and experiences do not seem as fun or cool to his son. “With Elijah, he gets to experience and adventure, but he still holds onto things dear to him. He is becoming open to new things.â€
above: Super Elijah. Elijah and Manos.
Similarly, Scribe finds that he needs to break patterns and tendencies, namely shyness, as a person. “I have to break out of my shell. It’s so out of the norm for me to talk to people at gallery shows,†he says. As a natural introvert, the extroversion involved with putting his artwork and himself on public display does not suit him. “It’s like an alternate personality in public view. It’s a tug of war because the creation of my work is done in solitude.â€
“Letting go of my security blanket is something I have to learn to do,†says Scribe. With an upcoming book tour and gallery shows, he realizes that he needs to become more comfortable interacting with the public. “I need to learn and teach my son the same lessons.â€
Fundamental themes such as the resistance to change and the need to adapt transform Scribe’s book into far more than a fanciful children’s tale. The book speaks to adults that face complex challenges in practical, everyday circumstances.
above: Late Night Elijah. Flight Elijah.
above: Car Crazy Elijah. Octopus Charming Elijah.
above: Adventuring Elijah. Flying Elijah.
above: Co-authors Dean Blase and Scribe.
The Publisher
Long-time friends Scribe and Jason Brunson are connected through another book, DF: Idiots on Parade, also published by Shake It, Ink. DF: Idiots on Parade documents the artwork of the world-renowned and influential DF Crew, a collective of graffiti artists from across the nation that includes Brunson and Scribe. The book’s imagery captures the dynamic visual form and its function as an urban art form. Based in Cincinnati, Brunson has exhibited work at galleries including a solo show in March 2005 at Leedy-Voulkos in Kansas City.
After Brunson heard about Scribe’s idea for a children’s book, he walked over to Shake It Records and pitched the concept to Darren Blase as a possible book project. Blase is the owner of publishing imprint Shake It, Ink and Shake It Records, a record label and retail store, based in Cincinnati, Ohio. He saw Scribe’s early sketches, supported the idea, and pursued negotiations for a publishing deal.
As Scribe’s ideas began to take shape, he enlisted the writing aid of Dean Blase, Darren’s wife and an English teacher at the nation’s first Montessori school. She assisted Scribe in creating a narrative arc within the book and developing the voice of Elijah through rhyming verse. (See related story.)
“The more we talked about the project, the more I began searching for someone to write the text,†says Scribe. “Darren’s wife taught writing and began as the book editor at first. As we got to know each other, she suggested more ideas and alterations. She was sensitive to my ideas and helped to polish my sentences. Deeper into the project, she became the co-author.†Scribe explains that Dean was modest initially and sought no credit, but he felt strongly about recognizing her contributions. “The book is written by both of us.â€
above: Captain Elijah.
In the beginning, Scribe conceived of a storyline that spanned multiple locations and adventures for Elijah the rabbit. His imagination built a densely packed tale that was far too much to portray in one book. Darren Blase was instrumental in narrowing the scope of the concept, explaining that Scribe had enough material to create five or six books as a series. He suggested that Scribe focus on each part of the story and the characters with one or two changes in scenery. “He told me, ‘Don’t try to cram it all into one story,’†Scribe says.
The book took roughly eighteen months from start to finish. The bulk of the artwork and initial writing took place in the first year with revisions consuming another six months. Once ready, Shake It, Ink ordered 3,000 copies of the book for its initial print run. The small press run makes each copy a limited edition that should sell quickly during Scribe’s book tour.
He heads to Cincinnati in late March for a book signing event at Blue Manatee, a children’s bookstore, that includes an art installation and release party. The installation will include completely new work unseen by audiences anywhere. The book tour will continue in Denver, Chicago, and Montreal later this year with additional dates in Kansas City to be scheduled. “I’ll create new work for each show. I’m traveling with Jason,†says Scribe.
above: Cowboy Elijah.
The Adventure Continues
For Scribe, his first children’s book reinforces the connection between his professional life as an artist at Children’s Mercy Hospital, his creative achievements as a visual storyteller, and his family ties as a father to Elijah and younger son Jonas. Elijah is able to sit with his father and absorb the images and messages displayed in a tangible form that speaks to both children and adults. “Watching my son interact with the book and seeing Boo Boo…when he found the blanket on the page and pointed at it, he started laughing,†says Scribe, pleased and proud that his son makes the association between his beloved blanket and the story.
Similarly, Jason Brunson became a new father during the production of the book and has had comparable experiences. His son Kosta can recognize artwork found in the book such as the character Mr. Frenchy created by Brunson. “It made Jason proud because his son was paying attention to his Dad’s work,†says Scribe. And East, Scribe’s mentor, will also be able to someday share his work on the book to his one-year-old son. “His son will grow up and learn about his father’s art. It’s a small legacy for East and his kid.â€
Scribe continues to grow as an artist and adult, managing the priorities of work, marriage and home life with his wife Alisa, and fatherhood. Just as Elijah the Rabbit learns lessons in this whimsical tale, Scribe faces plenty of “adventuring†ahead with a helping hand here and there.
