Jill McElmurry Papers
Scope and Contents
This collection contains original artwork for children's books illustrated by Jill McElmurry, including books in the popular Little Blue Truck series. The collection holds finished illustrations (primarily gouache paintings), sketches, studies, correspondence, reference images, and promotional materials. Also included is a small amount of editorial and commercial art from the 1980s and 1990s, personal sketchbooks and art, as well as unpublished children's book materials.
Dates
- 1981-2017, undated
Creator
- McElmurry, Jill (Person)
Conditions Governing Access
Open for use in the Elmer L. Andersen Library reading room.
Conditions Governing Use
This collection may be protected by the Copyright Law of the United States (Title 17, U.S. Code). It is the user's responsibility to verify copyright ownership and to obtain all necessary permissions prior to the reproduction, publication, or other use of any portion of these materials. Researchers may quote from the collection under the fair use provision of the copyright law.
Biographical / Historical
Jill McElmurry was born in Los Angeles, CA but grew up in Taos, NM. She belonged to a family of artists. Her grandfather, Mario Larrinaga, was a scenic painter and art director for three major Hollywood studios. As a child, McElmurry accompanied her parents, who were both commercial painters, to local art openings.
McElmurry studied at the School of Visual Arts in New York and also at SUNY Purchase. She created commercial art as an editorial illustrator in both the US and Germany for over 20 years. Eventually she started working as a children’s book author and illustrator. She published her first book in 2000, titled Mad About Plaid. McElmurry is best known for her illustrative work on the Little Blue Truck series, written by Alice Schertle.
McElmurry died in 2017.
Biographical Source:
Kantor, Emma. Obituary: Jill McElmurry. Publisher's Weekly. August 8, 2017. www.publishersweekly.com/pw/by-topic/childrens/childrens-authors/article/74439-obituary-jill-mcelmurry.html
Extent
10.95 Cubic Feet (22 boxes and 1 flat portfolio [14 flat boxes, 1 oversize box, 7 hollinger boxes, and 1 portfolio])
Language of Materials
English
Abstract
This collection contains original artwork for children's books illustrated by Jill McElmurry, including the Little Blue Truck series.
Arrangement
Collection guide is arranged into two series. Published Books is arranged alphabetically by publication title.
- Published Books
- Other material
Immediate Source of Acquisition
Gift of Eric Webster / Jill McElmurry Estate.
- Children's literature -- Illustrations Subject Source: Library of Congress Subject Headings
- Christmas stories Subject Source: Library of Congress Subject Headings
- City and town life -- Juvenile fiction Subject Source: Library of Congress Subject Headings
- Clothing and dress -- Juvenile fiction Subject Source: Library of Congress Subject Headings
- Dogs -- Juvenile fiction Subject Source: Library of Congress Subject Headings
- Families -- Juvenile fiction Subject Source: Library of Congress Subject Headings
- Friendship -- Juvenile fiction Subject Source: Library of Congress Subject Headings
- Gouaches (paintings) Subject Source: Art & Architecture Thesaurus
- Halloween -- Juvenile fiction Subject Source: Library of Congress Subject Headings
- Hanukkah stories Subject Source: Library of Congress Subject Headings
- Illustration of books -- 21st century Subject Source: Library of Congress Subject Headings
- Illustrators -- United States Subject Source: Library of Congress Subject Headings
- Individuality -- Juvenile fiction Subject Source: Library of Congress Subject Headings
- Lift-the-flap books Subject Source: Library of Congress Subject Headings
- Magazine illustration -- 20th century Subject Source: Library of Congress Subject Headings
- Pastels (visual works) Subject Source: Art & Architecture Thesaurus
- Picture books Subject Source: Library of Congress Subject Headings
- Scratch art Subject Source: Art & Architecture Thesaurus
- Sketches Subject Source: Art & Architecture Thesaurus
- Spring -- Juvenile fiction Subject Source: Library of Congress Subject Headings
- Trucks -- Juvenile fiction Subject Source: Library of Congress Subject Headings
Source
- Webster, Eric (Donor, Person)
- Title
- Jill McElmurry Papers, 1981-2017, undated
- Status
- Completed
- Author
- Kristell Benson
- Date
- July 25, 2018
- Description rules
- Describing Archives: A Content Standard
- Language of description
- English
- Script of description
- Latin
Revision Statements
- August 2019: New material added and collection guide updated by Caitlin Marineau
- April 2021: New material added and description updated by Caitlin Marineau
- May 2022: New material added and description updated by Caitlin Marineau
Collecting Area Details
Contact The Children's Literature Research Collections Collecting Area
