Art-Bio.Com, Intrest of Earl Snellenberger

Items of Interest about Earl Snellenberger

Earl has studied many forms of art in many different environments. In 1960 he received the Walcott award for European travel and study. He has also studied in Canada and in India. Earl's textile art was influenced by M. C. Escher and by quilt designs. He was one of the founders of the Surface Design Association, an international organization of textile artists, educators and industry representatives. On a lark, Earl submitted a design to Horse Mania, an outdoor sculpture show. His design for a Trojan horse was chosen. Earl only had three short weeks to meet a tight deadline. With the help of his wife, Bonita, and friends he was able to create the sculpture complete with a ladder and tiny people climbing from the belly of the horse.

Trojan Horse created from Earl's design

Since 1988, Earl and Bonita have co-authored and illustrated over 25 children's books. They have also created illustrations for other authors. One of their books has been translated into Chinese and Korean. Another was published in Israel and reads back to front. Recently Earl and Bonita received an award from Amazon. COM for the best selling children's book about the Great Ice Age. Earl laughs and says he can't imagine that there was a lot of competition.

Dinosaurs of Eden in Israeli and in English

From a young age, Earl has been interested in puppetry. He was a puppeteer on television while still in school and has taught classes in puppetry at University of Indianapolis. Earl is a member of the Puppeteers of America and a founding member of Indiana Puppetry Guild. Earl collects puppets and was happy to share his Indonesian shadow puppet of Kumbakarna, the giant. The rods that control the arms and head are made from the horns of Brahma bulls. These are carved and heat treated to get the proper curve. Earl explained that the puppet is brightly colored because the women and children watch the shadows, but the men sit on the other side of the illuminated silk fabric screen and can see the painted patterns of the puppets being manipulated.

Kumbakarna the giant

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