September 13, 2018

20 Years of Magic Part 2: The Artists of Harry Potter

39 minutes

In part two of our special Harry Potter series, we're talking with some of the illustrators who have brought Harry to life over the last 20 years, including: Mary GrandPré, the illustrator of the original U.S. editions of the Harry Potter series; Brian Selznick, the illustrator of the 20th anniversary edition covers; and Jim Kay, the artist behind the fully illustrated editions.

Each artist will talk about what it was like to join the Harry Potter universe and bring to life their vision of the Boy Who Lived.

Additional resources:

Listen to part 1 of our series: The Harry Potter Fandom

Listen to part 3 of our series: The Making of Harry Potter

See Mary GrandPré's illustration for the original U.S. cover of Harry Potter and the Sorcerer's Stone

See Brian Selznick's cover art for the 20th anniversary editions of the Harry Potter series

See some of Jim Kay's artwork from the fully illustrated editions

Guests:

Mary GrandPré has illustrated over 20 picture books, but she is perhaps best known for her illustrations on the Harry Potter books. She has also worked as the conceptual artist on Dreamwork’s animated film "Antz” and on Blue Sky Studios’ animated film “Ice Age.”

Brian Selznick is the Caldecott Medal-winning creator of the #1 New York Times bestsellers The Invention of Hugo Cabret, adapted into Martin Scorsese’s Oscar-winning movie Hugo, and Wonderstruck, adapted by celebrated filmmaker Todd Haynes, with a screenplay by Selznick; as well as The Marvels. His books have garnered countless accolades worldwide, and have been translated into more than 35 languages.

Jim Kay won the Kate Greenaway Medal in 2012 for his illustrations in A Monster Calls by Patrick Ness. Jim studied illustration at the University of Westminster and since graduating has worked in the Archives of Tate Britain and the Royal Botanic Gardens at Kew. Jim has produced concept work for television and contributed to a group exhibition at the Victoria and Albert Museum in London. He now lives and works in Northamptonshire, England, with his wife and a rescued greyhound.

Special thanks:

Music composed by Lucas Elliot Eberl

Sound mix and editing by Daniel Jordan and Christopher Johnson

Produced by Emily Morrow

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