Celebrated Illustrator to Speak at VCU

By Alexandra Klingelhut

Charles Vess, acclaimed illustrator and Virginia Commonwealth University alumnus, will discuss his career and latest book project, “The Cats of Tanglewood Forest,” at the Grace Street Theater on April 18. A book sale and signing will follow the event.

Doors will open at 6 p.m. Seating is limited and registration is required. Parking will be available for a fee in the West Broad Street and West Main Street parking decks. If special accommodations will be needed, or to register offline, please call (804) 828-0593 prior to April 15. To register online, visit http://www.library.vcu.edu/events/vess/.

“The Cats of Tanglewood Forest,” written by Charles de Lint, features 71 illustrations by Vess.

Vess graduated from VCU in 1974. He worked in commercial animation at Candy Apple Productions in Richmond, before moving to New York City in 1976. While in New York, he became a freelance illustrator and worked for several publications, including Heavy Metal, Klutz Press, Epic Comics and National Lampoon. He soon gained attention for his work in comic books.

Vess’ work has been featured by many comic-book publishers, including Marvel and DC. His work with writer Neil Gaiman on “Sandman” and “The Books of Magic” earned Vess particular praise.

Vess’ more recent art typically is found in book illustrations. For instance, he partnered with Gaiman to create “Stardust," an illustrated novel with 175 paintings, which was made into a film in 2007 by Paramount Pictures. In addition to “The Cats of Tanglewood Forest,” his book collaborations with de Lint include “A Circle of Cats,” “Moonheart” and “The Green Man: Tales from the Mythic Forest.”

Vess is the recipient of several awards, including the Ink Pot, multiple World Fantasies, the Mythopoeic and two Will Eisner Comic Industry Awards.

He is currently working on “The Greenwood,” a contemporary middle grade novel.

The event is sponsored by the James Branch Cabell Library Associates and the VCU Friends of the Library.

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