17 Comments
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JessMcK's avatar

This sounds like an awesome project. I love illustrating older novels and some of my favourite art pieces are ones that I've done for public domain works like Charles Dickens' novels. Hope you have a blast!

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Jules's avatar

Thanks for the well wishes! It's already been great to have an excuse to read more books.

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Sonia Agüera González's avatar

Hi Jules, this is a very smart way to explore illustrations. I love this idea! Just subscribed !

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Jules's avatar

Thank you so much!

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Fialka Cote's avatar

I really like this idea!

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Jules's avatar

It's been a lot of fun!

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Fialka Cote's avatar

Can I ask, do you have a favorite bit of public domain you’re enjoying the most right now?

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Jules's avatar

I've recently been delving into a lot of work aimed at children from around the turn of the century, like that of the artists Benjamin Rabier and Randolph Caldecott (I love his picture book The Milkmaid)! I also recently read Heidi, and started reading Anne of Green Gables a few days ago -- it's been great to visit an era of children's books that are so joyful and positive.

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G.Lo 🐍's avatar

Ahh I’ve thought about doing something like this too!! But I’ve kept it to just my faves. This is a really cool endeavor and I’m throwing all the kick ass vibes your way dude!!

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Jules's avatar

Thank you, I really appreciate it!

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Meg's avatar

I love the premise of this art challenge you've set for yourself. I look forward to watching your journey. I've thought of a similar thing myself, but I'm in a chapter of my life where my art has had to take a back seat, so I'm living vicariously through others til my Littles are a bit more independent. Lol. I can't wait to see what you do.

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Jules's avatar

Thanks so much! I have a lot planned for this project and I hope you'll enjoy where it leads.

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Adam Ming's avatar

Did you know that the graphic novel ‘Fables’ was thrust into the Public Domain, and was announced on Substack! (You probably did, but I think that’s a wild story) - Love the premise of this newsletter!

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Jules's avatar

Thank you, and thanks for the tip! I actually hadn't come across the news yet. It's always exciting to see more contemporary projects enter the public domain!

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tru3's avatar

Intriguing idea. I’ve mostly created art for the joy of it, graphic design for free if I believe in what the “client” is doing.

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Jules's avatar

Thank you! I thought of doing this newsletter awhile ago, and the idea interested me for long enough that I finally decided to pursue it.

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Rob Swinney's avatar

Lots of opportunities out there.

Hello, I write crazy, zany, wacky, weird poetry that will make you laugh, cry, smile, and have you wonder why did he illustrate it that way.

https://open.substack.com/pub/robswinney/p/be-my-friend?r=5c1p7k&utm_medium=iosp

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