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Hudson on the Hudson
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| Hudson Talbot, a childrenŐs book author and illustrator, stands near the Hudson River with which he shares a name in Catskill. TalbotŐs new book, ŇRiver of Dreams,Ó about the Hudson River was recently published. He will be speaking and signing books at the Hudson Opera House on Warren Street in Hudson at 2 p.m. March 8. (Andrew Amelinckx/Hudson-Catskill Newspapers) |
Author, illustrator talks about the river that inspired him
By Andrew Amelinckx
GREENE COUNTY — When Hudson Talbot was a boy living in Kentucky, he ended his nightly prayers with, “God bless mommy and daddy, may I please have a horse and go to New York.”
He has yet to get a horse, he said, but did manage to make it to New York. In fact, the 59-year-old has been here for more than three decades. He has a home in Greene County as well as one in New York City.
Talbot said that he was always enthralled with the idea of New York City, but also with the river with which he shares a name.
The children’s book author and illustrator, with more than a dozen titles under his belt, recently wrote and illustrated a book on the Hudson River titled “River of Dreams” for children seven and up.
The book tells the story of the relationship between the river and the many people — from Native Americans, to the Dutch and British — who have been drawn to it.
According to Talbot, a teacher he once had suggested that he do a biography about Henry Hudson. But, said Talbot, the English explorer didn’t hold enough interest for him.
“He was a one-trick pony,” said Talbot. “He came up the river. That’s it.”
But, he said, the Hudson River itself held great interest for him.
He said the river was historically important, not just for the region, but for America — from the early Dutch colonization, to its role in the American Revolution, to its importance as the country’s first super highway.
Talbot said that it was not only historically important, but culturally important as well, inspiring both the first important American artistic movement, the Hudson River School, and the first home-grown literature from the likes of Washington Irving. “He was the first American author to make a living from his writing,” said Talbot.
Paring down 10,000 years of Hudson River history to a limited amount of text and illustrations was no easy task for the author, but, he said, it was very important. “It’s huge,” Talbot said. “If there is any one element that is the most crucial, this is it.”
He said it was important to distill the history down to “the essence of what your story is about.”
In writing for children, said Talbot, one must remember that they have a limited vocabulary and a limited attention span. “If you can respect and understand that you can explain anything to them, I believe,” he said.
The process of actually creating the work, including research, writing the text and painting the watercolor illustrations, took a total of two years. Talbot said his creative process begins with roughly creating a storyline in his head as well as visual ideas, and then actually writing the text and then sketching ideas. “Sometimes I create a storyboard,” he said. “The process is nebulous.” He said that the visual and written aspects of the book often play off one another.
Talbot said that while researching the book he was lucky enough to get to spend an afternoon with Pete Seeger, a famous folk singer and activist, who suggested various books for his research. “I have a big collection of books of my own now,” he said.
The author believes that, like himself, others are drawn to New York City because it is “the city of dreams.”
“People have been finding their dreams there for 400 years,” he said. “By the age of five, I was praying to come to New York City. I knew I belonged up here.”
As for the Hudson Valley, he said that it continues to draw artists and writers as well as others who realize they don’t have to live their lives surrounded by concrete. He believes that people are looking for a lifestyle where they know and support their neighbors. “It’s going back to these values,” he said. “It’s quality of life.”
To reach reporter Andrew Amelinckx please call 518-828-1616, ext. 2267, or e-mail aamelinckx@registerstar.com.
By Andrew Amelinckx
GREENE COUNTY — When Hudson Talbot was a boy living in Kentucky, he ended his nightly prayers with, “God bless mommy and daddy, may I please have a horse and go to New York.”
He has yet to get a horse, he said, but did manage to make it to New York. In fact, the 59-year-old has been here for more than three decades. He has a home in Greene County as well as one in New York City.
Talbot said that he was always enthralled with the idea of New York City, but also with the river with which he shares a name.
The children’s book author and illustrator, with more than a dozen titles under his belt, recently wrote and illustrated a book on the Hudson River titled “River of Dreams” for children seven and up.
The book tells the story of the relationship between the river and the many people — from Native Americans, to the Dutch and British — who have been drawn to it.
According to Talbot, a teacher he once had suggested that he do a biography about Henry Hudson. But, said Talbot, the English explorer didn’t hold enough interest for him.
“He was a one-trick pony,” said Talbot. “He came up the river. That’s it.”
But, he said, the Hudson River itself held great interest for him.
He said the river was historically important, not just for the region, but for America — from the early Dutch colonization, to its role in the American Revolution, to its importance as the country’s first super highway.
Talbot said that it was not only historically important, but culturally important as well, inspiring both the first important American artistic movement, the Hudson River School, and the first home-grown literature from the likes of Washington Irving. “He was the first American author to make a living from his writing,” said Talbot.
Paring down 10,000 years of Hudson River history to a limited amount of text and illustrations was no easy task for the author, but, he said, it was very important. “It’s huge,” Talbot said. “If there is any one element that is the most crucial, this is it.”
He said it was important to distill the history down to “the essence of what your story is about.”
In writing for children, said Talbot, one must remember that they have a limited vocabulary and a limited attention span. “If you can respect and understand that you can explain anything to them, I believe,” he said.
The process of actually creating the work, including research, writing the text and painting the watercolor illustrations, took a total of two years. Talbot said his creative process begins with roughly creating a storyline in his head as well as visual ideas, and then actually writing the text and then sketching ideas. “Sometimes I create a storyboard,” he said. “The process is nebulous.” He said that the visual and written aspects of the book often play off one another.
Talbot said that while researching the book he was lucky enough to get to spend an afternoon with Pete Seeger, a famous folk singer and activist, who suggested various books for his research. “I have a big collection of books of my own now,” he said.
The author believes that, like himself, others are drawn to New York City because it is “the city of dreams.”
“People have been finding their dreams there for 400 years,” he said. “By the age of five, I was praying to come to New York City. I knew I belonged up here.”
As for the Hudson Valley, he said that it continues to draw artists and writers as well as others who realize they don’t have to live their lives surrounded by concrete. He believes that people are looking for a lifestyle where they know and support their neighbors. “It’s going back to these values,” he said. “It’s quality of life.”
To reach reporter Andrew Amelinckx please call 518-828-1616, ext. 2267, or e-mail aamelinckx@registerstar.com.
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