There's a really nice interview with U.S. Harry Potter illustrator Mary GrandPre. No spoilers involved -- she's under huge legal pressure (among other things) to not divulge any of the story of HP7, although she's one of the few who has read it, of course.
I enjoyed the article most for her honesty about the challenges and growth in her creative process as she worked to faithfully bring Harry to life for readers over the years. It's also interesting to hear how much she'd like to go back and change the first few covers. She had no idea what she was getting into when she contracted to do the first book a decade ago; I don't think anybody did! She candidly admits her artistry and involvement has grown along with the books themselves. She also admits to some relief that all of this is over, feelings I'll bet JKR can relate to!
The other fun thing to note is that those of us who were speculating that the curtains on this cover were a sort of echoed motif of the cover for the first book were right. She doesn't say, of course, if that's all they are, but she definitely had it in mind to try to make some sort of connection between the two covers of the first and last books. I'm glad to hear that, as I suspect it bodes well for similar echoes in the writing itself.
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Very interesting interview! What an amazing "fluke" it was to land that job. I'm surprised that seven books' worth of Harry Potter illustrations aren't enough to put her daughter through college; I would've thought she'd get a bit bigger cut.
But it must be really cool knowing that she has been such an integral part of this phenomenon, and it must be kind of nice, if also bittersweet, knowing she'll have more freedom now to pursue other projects.
By the way, I saw something a couple days ago about Rowling doing a signing in London the night of the release. I almost was in London for the release of the sixth book; sure would be cool to be there this year!
Yes, I thought it odd too that this hadn't been more lucrative for her, considering how rich the books have made JKR (and lots of other people). I love her illustrations and think they add much to the overall experience/flavor of the series. Sounded to me as though she perhaps contracted (at rather "normal" pay) for the first three, before anyone realized how big they'd be. Then renegotiated for the final four.
It must be funny for her to realize how close she came to turning down the job! Must be one of those life moments she looks back on and realizes how different her life would be if she'd taken a different turn that one day!
Yes, how cool it would be to be in London for the book release this year!
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