Among illustrators, thereB次元官网网址檚 a sense of community.

It stems from the isolationist nature of their work, said illustrator Barbara Weaver-Bosson, but also from the fact their work often serves as a complement to a story. Often, illustratorsB次元官网网址� work isnB次元官网网址檛 shown in galleries, rather it appears in childrenB次元官网网址檚 books or other texts.

B次元官网网址淕enerally an illustration is used (for a purpose) where youB次元官网网址檙e using it to match a thematic bit with a story,B次元官网网址� Weaver-Bosson said.

B次元官网网址淭hat could be in the way of editorial or a childrenB次元官网网址檚 story. It supports the text or even enhances the text or manuscript. You donB次元官网网址檛 always have to be literal when youB次元官网网址檙e an illustrator, but youB次元官网网址檙e always an artist first.B次元官网网址�

Twenty-five years ago, a group of local artists formed the Island IllustratorsB次元官网网址� Society, meeting monthly at the former North Park Gallery.

B次元官网网址淲e all spoke the same language, even though some of us were designers, some were photogs,B次元官网网址� Weaver-Bosson said.

B次元官网网址淲e were wanting to communicate with the public how our group can be useful in the community, and help with business and support and mentor each other. We all became hugely connected and good friends.B次元官网网址�

To celebrate the groupB次元官网网址檚 silver anniversary, members are showing a selection of their works, called Celebrate Success: 25 Years of the Island IllustratorsB次元官网网址� Society, at Cedar Hill Recreation CentreB次元官网网址檚 gallery caf茅.

The illustratorsB次元官网网址� works are paired with self-written narratives about their work and photographs by local photographer Raymond St. Arnaud, who shot each artist in his or her studio.

B次元官网网址淥ne of the things I tried to do was, if the artist had a space, I tried to show what they see outdoors, or if they were daydreaming,B次元官网网址� St. Arnaud said.

B次元官网网址淚 didnB次元官网网址檛 do that all the time, but IB次元官网网址檓 trying to show the space or the environment that the artist is in.B次元官网网址�

He used a wide-angle lens to capture as much of the works space as possible.

B次元官网网址淚 try to let them be themselves as much as possible,B次元官网网址� he said of the illustrators. B次元官网网址淚 usually do not give them a lot of guidance. I show up and see what they do, where they work and how things are placed. Eventually, they seem to settle themselves into kind of a natural, comfortable place.B次元官网网址�

In all, St. Arnaud photographed 68 local illustrators. Each of those photos is in a new book heB次元官网网址檚 launching in conjunction with the exhibit called The Island IllustratorsB次元官网网址� Society B次元官网网址� 25th anniversary B次元官网网址� 68 studio visits.

Illustrator Sandy Terry said the pictures are like B次元官网网址渁 window into the creatorsB次元官网网址� world.B次元官网网址�

B次元官网网址淭he reason I love it is (because) where an artist creates is a very special place. ItB次元官网网址檚 like your sanctuary where youB次元官网网址檙e making something that hasnB次元官网网址檛 existed before. To have that space and have it photographed B次元官网网址� I love that (St. Arnaud) is taking you into that private world.B次元官网网址�

For more on the society, visit .

ecardone@vicnews.com