EXTRACTS: The Art of Ron Embleton (illustrators special) © 2018 The Book Palace (144 PAGES in Full edition)

80 often at odds with a career in the arts but the, very considerable, downside of the equation meant that Ron was working hours which would have felled many a lesser mortal. Lack of sleep, cigarettes and a generally sedentary lifestyle were making inroads into his health, but his naturally ebullient spirit and love of his work continued to be a driving force in the development of his art. Like a lot of artists, the desire to explore pastures new and not get stuck in a creative rut, meant that when new opportunities manifested themselves, Ron was more than ready to rise to the occasion. When, in 1972, he was approached by an entrepreneur to design a Hans Andersen theme park, he was more than keen to discuss the project. The work would involve the Embleton family upping sticks and moving from their comfortable home in Bournemouth to Los Angeles. Ron's flexibility in relation to the work he was able to undertake, not only ensured a steady flow of commissions, but also created new interest and new opportunities. The fairy tale work that he undertook for publications such as Once Upon a Time attracted new fans to his distinctive and engaging storytelling as these images for the nursery rhyme Doctor Foster and 'Beauty and the Beast' attest. Text continued from page 39