SPOTLIGHT ARTIST:
"Jeff Buckley: Amazing Grace"
Author Gary Bernard's
TUGG & OLLIE
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Poet and painter Gary Bernard, wrote a book of poems and accompanying oil paintings inspired by singer Jeff Buckley. The book was featured in the documentary "Jeff Buckley: Amazing Grace" and was praised by Jeff's mom, Mary Guibert. In 2009 Bernard illustrated the story "Pemba Sherpa," a book that won the Junior Library Guild Selection award.
Bernard has written a new children's book, "Ollie and Tugg." His mother painted frequently when he was young, and he finished his first oil painting when he was 10 years old. His interest grew from there, shaped by a disinterest in his regular academic classrooms. He eventually made his way to the Rhode Island School of Design for illustration. where he worked with renowned professors and artists such as Chris Van Allsburg, who wrote and illustrated "The Polar Express," "Jumanji" and other children's books.
He is now trying to compile his work from his time abroad into an illustrated travel log.
Says Bernard: "Being part of the Amazing Grace project was and still is a thrill for me. Since it is mentioned, I hope that Jeff is smiling and raising a Guinness wherever he is." Read the full interview at Mt. Airy Patch
Learn more about Gary Bernard at www.gbernard.com
