Kinuko Y. Craft facts for kids

Kinuko Yamabe Craft, born on January 3, 1940, is a talented artist. She was born in Japan and later became an American painter. She is well-known for her beautiful illustrations and fantasy art.

Kinuko Craft's Artistic Journey

Early Life and Education

A pencil drawing of a moon goddess by Kinuko Y. Craft.

Kinuko Yamabe Craft was born in Kanazawa, Japan, on January 3, 1940. She loved art from a young age. In 1964, she earned a special art degree from the Kanazawa College of Art. After graduating, she moved to the United States in 1964. She continued her art studies at the School of the Art Institute of Chicago. There, she focused on design and illustration. Much of her early work was for magazines and advertisements.

Artistic Style and Inspiration

Kinuko Craft has a deep love for European fine art. She uses her knowledge of art history to create her unique pieces. She is especially inspired by artists like Leonardo da Vinci. She also admires the Pre-Raphaelites and Symbolist painters. Her artwork is created using a mix of oil paints and watercolors. She paints on special panels called clayboard gesso.

Famous Works and Collaborations

Kinuko Craft has illustrated eight picture books. These books include fairy tales and classic mythology stories. They are made for children and young readers. Since the mid-1990s, she has mostly focused on creating art for fantasy book covers. Her paintings have appeared on books by famous fantasy authors. Some of these authors include Patricia A. McKillip, Juliet Marillier, and Tanith Lee.

She has also designed posters for operas. Her art has been featured on the covers of many national magazines. These include Time, Newsweek, and National Geographic. Kinuko Craft has worked with many authors. She has also collaborated with her husband, Mahlon F. Craft, and her daughter, Marie Charlotte Craft. Her original paintings and prints are shown in galleries.

Awards and Recognition

Kinuko Craft's art is very popular. It has been used on calendars, posters, and greeting cards. Her fairy tale books are sold in many countries. These include the USA, other English-speaking countries, Europe, China, and Korea. She has won many awards for her work. These include gold and silver medals from the Society of Illustrators in New York.

Her artwork can be found in important collections. These include the National Portrait Gallery (United States) and the Museum of American Illustration. She was nominated five times for the Best Artist award at the World Fantasy Awards. In 2011, she won the World Fantasy Award for Best Artist.

Kinuko Craft has also shared her knowledge with others. She has given talks and workshops at many art schools and universities. These include Art Center College of Art and Design and Rhode Island School of Design. In 2022, a large book called Visions of Beauty was published. It features over 300 of her drawings and paintings. This book was nominated for a Locus Award in 2023. Kinuko Craft was also nominated for Best Artist in 2023.

Art Exhibitions

Kinuko Craft's art has been shown in museums.

• The Cornish Colony Museum in Windsor, Vermont, featured her work. The exhibition was called "Heroines in Literature" and ran in late 2006 and early 2007.
• Her art was also displayed at The 21st Century Museum of Contemporary Art Kanazawa in Japan. This exhibition, "A Spring Night's Dream," took place in spring 2006.

See also

• Books with cover art by Kinuko Y. Craft