In a corner of my studio, with a little cap I bought her for fishing and the sun sits ELOISE! For those of you that don't know Eloise She is six and she lives at the Plaza" in New York. When I was in fourth grade I received the first Eloise Book for Christmas.
I was fascinated with this little character and didn't realize it then but I was very influenced by the illustrator, Hillary Knight throughout my life. He was very skilled at making Eloise skibble up the stairs and with his pen he made her dog Weenie come to life!
I was a good little girl and I wanted to be more like ELOISE (who didn't mean to make poor choices but always seemed to and this made her so endearing). For years I lived vicariously through this little character. I drew Eloise pictures all the time. Hilary Knight also drew the pictures for Mrs. Piggle Wiggle. I could pick his illustrations out anywhere! He is my number one favorite illustrator. Shortly after I got the book my mother took us to Chicago and I saw an Eloise doll there at Marshall Fields. I begged my mother for that doll. I had never liked dolls before so my mother eagerly bought the doll due to my interest. I loved that doll and lugged her around everywhere tucked under my arm. She even went with me for a scarey stay in the hospital! She sat in my bedroom through my teen years. When I went to college my mother insisted I pack her up and put her in the basement. Years later when I went to retrieve her she was ruined! My heart fell as I disposed of my Eloise....(a SOB! is appropriate here). Any way, Eloise has turned FIFTY! (Which makes me feel very dated). Are you are wondering how does Eloise sit in the corner of my studio now?...Life is funny and full of surprises. About four years ago my friend Angela, gave me a Christmas Present. I opened it to find a brand new version of Eloise with her quirky little smirk smiling back at me! Of course I burst into happy tears! "The absolutely first thing I had to do was" give her a big hug. Ooooooooooooooo I absolutely love love love Eloise. If you haven't read the books they are delightful and thank you, Hillary Knight for starting me on the path of illustration! Time to go, I have much to do today. And "Oh, my Lord I am absolutely so busy I don't know how I can possibly get everything done." I absolutely Love Eloise.
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