I am swooning at these exquisite and detailed playing cards created by Vladislav Erko, a Ukranian illustrator noted for his equally beautiful and lush work in children's fairy tale books. Each card reflects a careful study of Ukrainian costumes as well as traditional implements, tools, and instruments. And I love the engaging faces of the characters that decorate the cards -- at once robust, wry, and seductive. While Erko doesn't appear to have a personal website, more information can be found at "Fairy Tales Images of Vladislav Erko" (which includes his gorgeous "Snow Queen" illustrations among many others).
And here are a few illustrations from Erko's "The Tales of Foggy Albion British Knight Tales" illustrations that knock me back with their almost surreal backgrounds, exquisite details, and nod to the Renaissance and Pre-Raphaelite sensibilities.
Midori Snyder is the author of nine books for children and adults, published in English, French, Dutch, and Italian. She won the Mythopoeic Award for The Innamorati, a novel inspired by early Roman myth and the Italian "Commedia dell'Arte" tradition....
