Who is Wendell Minor?

Native Auroran Wendell Minor’s value to the world of books can “hardly be overstated” according to David McCullough, Pulitzer prize-winning author of Truman.

Minor has produced well over 2,000 book jackets in his 30 years of freelance book illustration.

It all goes back to his strong Midwest roots , Minor said.

Minor recalled his father taking him through countless cornfields during fall hunting trips in the rural surrounds of his hometown.

There, amidst the quiet rustling of crisp, golden leaves, Minor first communed with nature.

“It’s almost a religious experience,” said Minor during a recent phone interview. “The simple joy and serenity you experience, you really want to share.”

So Minor presses on to express this vision through his illustrations, especially those for the younger set.

“My primary focus is to remind children that nature is essential,” said Minor. “It’s always been my feeling that if we lose touch with the natural world, we lose touch with ourselves.”

Born and raised in Aurora, he attended Greenman Elementary, Jefferson Junior High and Aurora West High schools. While at West high, Minor set his sights on going to art school in spite of advice against it.

“I can remember a high school counselor telling me I was foolish to pursue a career in art,” Minor said.

He completed his college career at the Ringling School of Art and Design. Afterward, he began freelance illustrating for book publishers in New York City.

Minor sometimes produces paintings for himself in oil and occasionally works in acrylic (as in the West High mural), but his primary medium for illustration is watercolor. He travels extensively to do on site research for his artwork.

Minor’s work was featured in a one person show at The Art Institute of Chicago. A new commissioned painting by Minor was recently added to the sky show at the Adler Planetarium, Chicago. Minor also has works in permanent collections at the Library of Congress, The Norman Rockwell Museum, NASA, the Museum of American Illustration and the Illinois State Museum among others. He has designed and illustrated book covers for such best-selling authors as Ray Bradbury, Pat Conroy, Fannie Flagg, Garrison Keillor, Toni Morrison and James A. Michener.

Minor wrote and illustrated about his 12-day sojourn to the Grand Canyon in a book of that name.

Three new picture books and a novel, graced by Minor’s illustrations, will be released next year.

Although he and his wife Florence live in Washington, Conn., the Minors maintain close ties to the Fox Valley area through family and friends.

Minor uses his Illinois experiences to enrich his designs.

Besides an upcoming book on Lincoln, people Minor knew while growing up here inspired illustrations for Heartland by Diane Siebert. Grassroots is Minoršs tribute to Carl Sandburg’s work and the common background he shares with the poet. Minor plans to continue to draw on his roots for inspiration.

“I still have more ideas on the back burner trying to honor the Midwest,” Minor said.

See more of Wendell Minor’s art, send digital post cards featuring a wide choice of Minor’s illustrations, read about him and even e-mail him at his web site at http://www.minorart.com.