Michael Ezzell, an illustrator and printmaker, found inspiration for his ongoing series, The Junior Classic, in a high school art project. By tearing pages from vintage books, he experiments with various media and compositional elements to create new narratives that inspire further paintings and prints.
His process involves painting over the text or illustrations on the page, using them as a starting point for his creations. Ezzell is particularly drawn to illustrations from the Alice in Wonderland series, originally drawn by Sir John Tenniel and reimagined by other artists over the years.
He searches for obscure manuals or children’s books with interesting visuals or text formatting, looking for elements that can be reinterpreted in a unique way. Each page serves as a prompt for his imagination, leading to a different kind of problem-solving compared to working on a blank canvas.
Ezzell’s work is influenced by tarot, Surrealism, playing cards, and early 20th-century fashion. The title of his series, The Junior Classic, pays homage to a set of books published in 1912 for young readers.
The series consists of over 400 pieces, and Ezzell is currently working on a tarot deck that is inspiring new narrative possibilities. His art is a blend of world-building and immersive storytelling, drawing viewers into a whimsical and fantastical realm.
For more of Ezzell’s work, visit his website and Instagram.
