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[[File:Joemathieu2008.jpg|thumb|300px|Joe Mathieu in 2008.]]
 
[[File:Joemathieu2008.jpg|thumb|300px|Joe Mathieu in 2008.]]
 
[[File:Joe-mathieu-miss-piggy.jpg|thumb|300px]]
 
[[File:Joe-mathieu-miss-piggy.jpg|thumb|300px]]
  +
[[Image:Joe-monster.jpg|thumb|300px|Joe and [[Gorgon Heap]]]]
βˆ’
'''Joe Mathieu''' is a freelance artist who has provided illustrations for [[:Category:Sesame Street Books|''Sesame Street'' books]] and merchandise since 1972, a year after graduating from the Rhode Island School of Design. <ref>[http://www.joemathieu.com/about.htm joemathieu.com]</ref> Mathieu remembers: "I spent the year following graduation building up my portfolio. Then I went to [[New York City]] and I was scared to death. ''Sesame Street'' was just starting and wanted someone young and new to set the style for their books, that’s how I ended up at [[:Category:Random House|Random House]]. That led to [[Jim Henson]] and the Muppets, and then we really got going, I couldn’t believe how fast." <ref name="norwich">Chiari, Tom. "[http://www.norwichbulletin.com/carousel/x313366568/Illustrator-has-a-passion-for-art Q&A with Joe Mathieu, Sesame Street illustrator]", ''Norwich Bulletin'', Norwich, CT. March 16, 2010.</ref>
+
'''Joe Mathieu''' (b. January 23, 1949)<ref>http://www.encyclopedia.com/doc/1G2-3071100065.html</ref> is a freelance artist who has provided illustrations for [[:Category:Sesame Street Books|''Sesame Street'' books]] and merchandise since 1972, a year after graduating from the Rhode Island School of Design. <ref>[http://www.joemathieu.com/about.htm joemathieu.com]</ref> Mathieu remembers: "I spent the year following graduation building up my portfolio. Then I went to [[New York City]] and I was scared to death. ''Sesame Street'' was just starting and wanted someone young and new to set the style for their books, that’s how I ended up at [[:Category:Random House|Random House]]. That led to [[Jim Henson]] and the Muppets, and then we really got going, I couldn’t believe how fast." <ref name="norwich">Chiari, Tom. "[http://www.norwichbulletin.com/carousel/x313366568/Illustrator-has-a-passion-for-art Q&A with Joe Mathieu, Sesame Street illustrator]", ''Norwich Bulletin'', Norwich, CT. March 16, 2010.</ref>
   
 
Some notable titles include ''[[Cookie Monster and the Cookie Tree]]'', ''[[The Ernie & Bert Book]]'' and ''[[The Exciting Adventures of Super Grover]]'' which was adapted into a [[Five Sesame Street Stories|video storybook]]. He also provided artwork for the adaptation of ''[[Sesame Street]]'' [[episode 1839]] published as ''[[I'll Miss You, Mr. Hooper]]'' and the 1978 special ''[[Christmas Eve on Sesame Street (book)|Christmas Eve on Sesame Street]]''.
 
Some notable titles include ''[[Cookie Monster and the Cookie Tree]]'', ''[[The Ernie & Bert Book]]'' and ''[[The Exciting Adventures of Super Grover]]'' which was adapted into a [[Five Sesame Street Stories|video storybook]]. He also provided artwork for the adaptation of ''[[Sesame Street]]'' [[episode 1839]] published as ''[[I'll Miss You, Mr. Hooper]]'' and the 1978 special ''[[Christmas Eve on Sesame Street (book)|Christmas Eve on Sesame Street]]''.
   
βˆ’
His most extensive contributions have been to ''[[The Sesame Street Dictionary]]'' in 1980, and hundreds of features and covers for ''[[Sesame Street Magazine]]'' over the years. The dictionary features illustrations for 1,300 words over the coure of 250 pages. When the book was redistributed in [[Big Bird's Sesame Street Dictionary|volume form]], Mathieu provided additional artwork for that as well. It has been printed in a Dutch translation and was reissued in English in 2004.
+
His most extensive contributions have been to ''[[The Sesame Street Dictionary]]'' in 1980, and hundreds of features and covers for ''[[Sesame Street Magazine]]'' over the years. The dictionary features illustrations for 1,300 words over the course of 250 pages. When the book was redistributed in [[Big Bird's Sesame Street Dictionary|volume form]], Mathieu provided additional artwork for that as well. It has been printed in a Dutch translation and was reissued in English in 2004.
βˆ’  
βˆ’
Perhaps most visible in ''Sesame Street''’s publishing history, is Mathieu's bookend illustrations for titled series. These include ''[[The Sesame Street Library]]'' (for which he also provided covers), ''[[The Sesame Street Treasury]]'', and ''[[:Category:Sesame Street Start-to-Read Books|Sesame Street Start-to-Read]]''.
 
   
 
As an early illustrator for ''Sesame Street'', Mathieu helped set a precedent for character style. This is evident in the [[Character Style Guides|1979 Character Style Guide]] which was put together as a reference point for licensors on how the ''Sesame Street'' Muppets should be rendered. Around 2004, Mathieu made the transition from his traditional reflective art, to a digital medium. Most of his work for ''Sesame Street'' books after this time has been digitally rendered at some point in the creation process.
 
As an early illustrator for ''Sesame Street'', Mathieu helped set a precedent for character style. This is evident in the [[Character Style Guides|1979 Character Style Guide]] which was put together as a reference point for licensors on how the ''Sesame Street'' Muppets should be rendered. Around 2004, Mathieu made the transition from his traditional reflective art, to a digital medium. Most of his work for ''Sesame Street'' books after this time has been digitally rendered at some point in the creation process.
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He has also illustrated other ''Sesame Street'' merchandise, such as the lyrics posters for ''[[Sing Yourself Silly!]]'' and ''[[Monster Hits]]'', ''[[Sesame Street Live]]'' program booklets, and a [[Sesame Street plates (Gorham)|1983 collectible Christmas plate]] made by Gorham.
 
He has also illustrated other ''Sesame Street'' merchandise, such as the lyrics posters for ''[[Sing Yourself Silly!]]'' and ''[[Monster Hits]]'', ''[[Sesame Street Live]]'' program booklets, and a [[Sesame Street plates (Gorham)|1983 collectible Christmas plate]] made by Gorham.
   
βˆ’
Other children's books have included ''The Eye Book'' (1998) and ''The Tooth Book'' (1989) by [[Theodor Geisel]] under the pen name Theo. LeSieg. He also illustrated books based on ''[[The Wubbulous World of Dr. Seuss]]'': ''[[The King's Beard (book)|The King's Beard]]'' and ''[[The Gink (book)|The Gink]]''. His affection for ''Sesame Street'' is evident in ''[[Busy City]]'', a non-''Sesame Street'' book written by Mathieu featuring a set visit to the CTW production. In ''[[Elmo's Lift-and-Peek Around the Corner Book]]'' from 1996, Mathieu drew [[Baby Natasha]] reading one of his books, ''[[Big Joe's Trailer Truck]]'' from 1974.
+
Other children's books have included ''The Eye Book'' (1998) and ''The Tooth Book'' (1989) by [[Theodor Geisel]] under the pen name Theo. LeSieg. He also illustrated books based on ''[[The Wubbulous World of Dr. Seuss]]'': ''[[The King's Beard (book)|The King's Beard]]'' and ''[[The Gink (book)|The Gink]]''. His affection for ''Sesame Street'' is evident in ''[[Busy City]]'', a non-''Sesame Street'' book written by Mathieu featuring a set visit to the CTW production. In ''[[Elmo's Lift-and-Peek Around the Corner Book]]'' from 1996, Mathieu drew [[Baby Natasha]] reading one of his books, ''[[Big Joe's Trailer Truck]]'' from 1974.
   
 
==Quotes==
 
==Quotes==
 
[[Image:Self illustration of Joe Mathieu.jpg|thumb|300px|Self-portrait of Joe Mathieu.]]
 
[[Image:Self illustration of Joe Mathieu.jpg|thumb|300px|Self-portrait of Joe Mathieu.]]
βˆ’
Regarding the pronunciation of his name, Mr. Mathieu wrote in a 2009 email interview:
 
βˆ’  
"My name is pronounced either the American way or the French way... My father, who was in the 5th Marine division on Iwo Jima, would only allow the American version. I like either, but although my family always uses the American pronunciation, I always quietly preferred the French. I will normally use the American unless I am in France or Canada. Please yourself on this one.<ref>[[User:tclark1428|Clark, Thomas D.]] Email interview with Joe Mathieu, December 1, 2009.</ref>
 
   
 
* "Jim Henson was the art director β€” he sat down with me and explained to me what he wanted. He gave me free rein to watch the show being taped, which I did a million times. I had carte blanche to visit the Muppet morgue β€” literally a morgue of old Muppet puppets. I watched how personality was breathed into the puppets by the puppeteers. I used to go to the show tapings, alone for the most part, and sit there and sketch. We didn’t have a color TV, no tape machines. I had to draw in real time." <ref name="norwich" />
 
* "Jim Henson was the art director β€” he sat down with me and explained to me what he wanted. He gave me free rein to watch the show being taped, which I did a million times. I had carte blanche to visit the Muppet morgue β€” literally a morgue of old Muppet puppets. I watched how personality was breathed into the puppets by the puppeteers. I used to go to the show tapings, alone for the most part, and sit there and sketch. We didn’t have a color TV, no tape machines. I had to draw in real time." <ref name="norwich" />
   
βˆ’
* "''Big Joe’s Trailer Truck'' was by first big solo thing. I’m an illustrator and I had an opportunity to write a book. I never wrote a book before, but I guess I was just hot because of my association to ''Sesame Street''. I didn’t have a lot of time to make up a town, so I just drew the town I lived in. I didn’t think everyone would recognize it, but they did. That really took off, it was translated into a dozen languages, which I never dreamed of. That was my big hit. I had so many opportunities to work with great writers. I even did a couple of Dr. Seuss books." <ref name="norwich" />
+
* "''Big Joe’s Trailer Truck'' was by first big solo thing. I’m an illustrator and I had an opportunity to write a book. I never wrote a book before, but I guess I was just hot because of my association to ''Sesame Street''. I didn’t have a lot of time to make up a town, so I just drew the town I lived in. I didn’t think everyone would recognize it, but they did. That really took off, it was translated into a dozen languages, which I never dreamed of. That was my big hit. I had so many opportunities to work with great writers. I even did a couple of Dr. Seuss books." <ref name="norwich" />
   
 
* "I fought [digital illustration] every inch of the way. Talk about getting out of your comfort zone β€” I couldn’t even send an e-mail. I tried everything I could to trick people, but the fact of the matter is, if it’s on paper, the young art directors didn’t want to see it. They’d never seen paper art before. They wanted to do changes on finished art, which for years was sacred. You had to make changes in the sketch phase. There was no way an illustrator could compete without working in digital. The rules had changed dramatically overnight. It became harder to find good paper and paints. Paints I used since the ’60s, (and) the companies, went out of business. I had completely embraced digital work, I never wanted to see a bowl and brush again. I never wanted to go back to all those limitations." <ref name="norwich" />
 
* "I fought [digital illustration] every inch of the way. Talk about getting out of your comfort zone β€” I couldn’t even send an e-mail. I tried everything I could to trick people, but the fact of the matter is, if it’s on paper, the young art directors didn’t want to see it. They’d never seen paper art before. They wanted to do changes on finished art, which for years was sacred. You had to make changes in the sketch phase. There was no way an illustrator could compete without working in digital. The rules had changed dramatically overnight. It became harder to find good paper and paints. Paints I used since the ’60s, (and) the companies, went out of business. I had completely embraced digital work, I never wanted to see a bowl and brush again. I never wanted to go back to all those limitations." <ref name="norwich" />
Line 29: Line 25:
 
* "I have to be ready to do either one [traditional or digital art]. It’s a different look, for certain things the traditional way is more appropriate. You can do a really beautiful book traditionally for a few that can afford it. But the mass market is there for kids like we started catering to with Sesame Street. I can still do my very best work digitally, and the book can be treated more casually. I like doing both. In the end, traditional style has a certain depth, softness, subtlety that’s not quite in the digital world." <ref name="norwich" />
 
* "I have to be ready to do either one [traditional or digital art]. It’s a different look, for certain things the traditional way is more appropriate. You can do a really beautiful book traditionally for a few that can afford it. But the mass market is there for kids like we started catering to with Sesame Street. I can still do my very best work digitally, and the book can be treated more casually. I like doing both. In the end, traditional style has a certain depth, softness, subtlety that’s not quite in the digital world." <ref name="norwich" />
   
 
* "My name is pronounced either the American way or the French way... My father, who was in the 5th Marine division on Iwo Jima, would only allow the American version. I like either, but although my family always uses the American pronunciation, I always quietly preferred the French. I will normally use the American unless I am in France or Canada. Please yourself on this one." <ref>[[User:tclark1428|Clark, Thomas D.]] Email interview with Joe Mathieu, December 1, 2009.</ref>
  +
{{br}}
 
==Books==
 
==Books==
 
''* indicates co-illustrator''
 
''* indicates co-illustrator''
  +
<gallery captionalign="left" spacing="small" position="center" bordersize="none" widths="200">
βˆ’
<gallery perrow=3 widths="200px" heights="250px">
 
βˆ’
Image:Gordonstorybook.JPG|''[[Gordon of Sesame Street Storybook]]'' *<br>1972
+
Image:Gordonstorybook.JPG|''[[Gordon of Sesame Street Storybook]]''*<br>1972|link=Gordon of Sesame Street Storybook
βˆ’
Image:123storybook.JPG|''[[The Sesame Street 1, 2, 3 Storybook]]'' *<br>1973
+
Image:123storybook.JPG|''[[The Sesame Street 1, 2, 3 Storybook]]''*<br>1973|link=The Sesame Street 1, 2, 3 Storybook
βˆ’
Image:Everythingmuseum.jpg|''[[Grover and the Everything in the Whole Wide World Museum]]''<br>1974
+
Image:Everythingmuseum.jpg|''[[Grover and the Everything in the Whole Wide World Museum]]''<br>1974|link=Grover and the Everything in the Whole Wide World Museum
βˆ’
Image:Abcstorybook.JPG|''[[The Sesame Street ABC Storybook]]'' *<br>1974
+
Image:Abcstorybook.JPG|''[[The Sesame Street ABC Storybook]]''*<br>1974|link=The Sesame Street ABC Storybook
βˆ’
Image:Busybook.JPG|''[[Big Bird's Busy Book]]'' *<br>1975
+
Image:Busybook.JPG|''[[Big Bird's Busy Book]]''*<br>1975|link=Big Bird's Busy Book
βˆ’
Image:Book.noevil.jpg|''[[See No Evil, Hear No Evil, Smell No Evil]]''<br>1975
+
Image:Book.noevil.jpg|''[[See No Evil, Hear No Evil, Smell No Evil]]''<br>1975|link=See No Evil, Hear No Evil, Smell No Evil
βˆ’
Image:Book.groveridinghood.jpg|''[[Grover's Little Red Riding Hood]]''<br>1976
+
File:The_grover_sticker_book_2.jpg|''[[The Grover Sticker Book]]''<br>1976|link=The Grover Sticker Book
βˆ’
Image:MONSTERbook.jpg|''[[I am a Monster]]''<br>1976
+
Image:Book.groveridinghood.jpg|''[[Grover's Little Red Riding Hood]]''<br>1976|link=Grover's Little Red Riding Hood
βˆ’
Image:Sesamefairytales.jpg|''[[The Sesame Street Book of Fairy Tales]]''<br>1976
+
Image:MONSTERbook.jpg|''[[I am a Monster]]''<br>1976|link=I am a Monster
βˆ’
Image:Bookclubtreecover.jpg|''[[Cookie Monster and the Cookie Tree]]''<br>1977
+
Image:Sesamefairytales.jpg|''[[The Sesame Street Book of Fairy Tales]]''<br>1976|link=The Sesame Street Book of Fairy Tales
βˆ’
Image:Book.ernieandbertbook.jpg|''[[The Ernie & Bert Book]]''<br>1977
+
Image:Bookclubtreecover.jpg|''[[Cookie Monster and the Cookie Tree]]''<br>1977|link=Cookie Monster and the Cookie Tree
βˆ’
Image:Book.mixandmatch.jpg|''[[The Sesame Street Mix or Match Storybook]]''<br>1977
+
Image:Book.ernieandbertbook.jpg|''[[The Ernie & Bert Book]]''<br>1977|link=The Ernie & Bert Book
βˆ’
Image:Book.e&bvacation.jpg|''[[What Ernie and Bert Did on Their Summer Vacation]]''<br>1977
+
Image:Book.mixandmatch.jpg|''[[The Sesame Street Mix or Match Storybook]]''<br>1977|link=The Sesame Street Mix or Match Storybook
  +
Image:Book.e&bvacation.jpg|''[[What Ernie and Bert Did on Their Summer Vacation]]''<br>1977|link=What Ernie and Bert Did on Their Summer Vacation
βˆ’
Image:Bedtimestorybook.JPG|''[[The Sesame Street Bedtime Storybook]]'' *<br>1978
 
βˆ’
Image:Excitingsupergrover.jpg|''[[The Exciting Adventures of Super Grover]]''<br>1978
+
Image:Bedtimestorybook.JPG|''[[The Sesame Street Bedtime Storybook]]''*<br>1978|link=The Sesame Street Bedtime Storybook
βˆ’
Image:Book.sslib01.jpg|''[[The Sesame Street Library]]'' (series) *<br>1978
+
Image:Excitingsupergrover.jpg|''[[The Exciting Adventures of Super Grover]]''<br>1978|link=The Exciting Adventures of Super Grover
βˆ’
Image:Erniesworkofart.jpg|''[[Ernie's Work of Art]]''<br>1979
+
Image:Book.sslib01.jpg|''[[The Sesame Street Library]]'' (series)*<br>1978|link=The Sesame Street Library
βˆ’
Image:Book.ssdictionary.jpg|''[[The Sesame Street Dictionary]]''<br>1980
+
Image:Erniesworkofart.jpg|''[[Ernie's Work of Art]]''<br>1979|link=Ernie's Work of Art
βˆ’
Image:Book.xmasevess.jpg|''[[Christmas Eve on Sesame Street]]''<br>1981
+
Image:Book.ssdictionary.jpg|''[[The Sesame Street Dictionary]]''<br>1980|link=The Sesame Street Dictionary
βˆ’
Image:Book.erniesbigmess.jpg|''[[Ernie's Big Mess]]''<br>1981
+
Image:Book.xmasevess.jpg|''[[Christmas Eve on Sesame Street (book)|Christmas Eve on Sesame Street]]''<br>1981|link=Christmas Eve on Sesame Street (book)
βˆ’
Image:Book.nobodycares.jpg|''[[Nobody Cares About Me!]]''<br>1982
+
Image:Book.erniesbigmess.jpg|''[[Ernie's Big Mess]]''<br>1981|link=Ernie's Big Mess
βˆ’
Image:Bathtimeonsesamestreet.jpg|''[[Bathtime on Sesame Street]]''<br>1983
+
Image:Book.nobodycares.jpg|''[[Nobody Cares About Me!]]''<br>1982|link=Nobody Cares About Me!
βˆ’
Image:Book.bertmop.jpg|''[[Bert and the Missing Mop Mix-Up]]''<br>1983
+
Image:Bathtimeonsesamestreet.jpg|''[[Bathtime on Sesame Street]]''<br>1983|link=Bathtime on Sesame Street
βˆ’
Image:Book.ernieslittlelie.jpg|''[[Ernie's Little Lie]]''<br>1983
+
Image:Book.bertmop.jpg|''[[Bert and the Missing Mop Mix-Up]]''<br>1983|link=Bert and the Missing Mop Mix-Up
βˆ’
Image:Book.treasury01.jpg|''[[The Sesame Street Treasury]]'' (series) *<br>1983
+
Image:Book.ernieslittlelie.jpg|''[[Ernie's Little Lie]]''<br>1983|link=Ernie's Little Lie
βˆ’
Image:Book.visitfirehouse.jpg|''[[A Visit to the Sesame Street Firehouse]]''<br>1983
+
Image:Book.treasury01.jpg|''[[The Sesame Street Treasury]]'' (series)*<br>1983|link=The Sesame Street Treasury
  +
Image:Book.visitfirehouse.jpg|''[[A Visit to the Sesame Street Firehouse]]''<br>1983|link=A Visit to the Sesame Street Firehouse
βˆ’
Image:AdventuresOfBigBirdinDinosaurDays.jpg|''[[The Adventures of Big Bird in Dinosaur Days]]''<br>1984
+
Image:AdventuresOfBigBirdinDinosaurDays.jpg|''[[The Adventures of Big Bird in Dinosaur Days]]''<br>1984|link=The Adventures of Big Bird in Dinosaur Days
βˆ’
Image:CanYouTellMeHowTalkNPlayBook.jpg|''[[Can You Tell Me How to Get to Sesame Street? (Talk 'n Play)|Can You Tell Me How to Get to Sesame Street?]]''<br>1984
+
Image:CanYouTellMeHowTalkNPlayBook.jpg|''[[Can You Tell Me How to Get to Sesame Street? (Talk 'n Play)|Can You Tell Me How to Get to Sesame Street?]]''<br>1984|link=Can You Tell Me How to Get to Sesame Street? (Talk 'n Play)
βˆ’
Image:Bookclubhooper01.jpg|''[[I'll Miss You, Mr. Hooper]]''<br>1984
 
βˆ’
Image:Book.mydollislost.jpg|''[[My Doll Is Lost!]]''<br>1984
+
Image:Bookclubhooper01.jpg|''[[I'll Miss You, Mr. Hooper]]''<br>1984|link=I'll Miss You, Mr. Hooper
βˆ’
Image:Book.twowheelsgrover.jpg|''[[Two Wheels for Grover]]''<br>1984
+
Image:Book.mydollislost.jpg|''[[My Doll Is Lost!]]''<br>1984|link=My Doll Is Lost!
βˆ’
Image:Book.bigbirdsays.jpg|''[[Big Bird Says... A Game to Read and Play]]''<br>1985
+
Image:Book.twowheelsgrover.jpg|''[[Two Wheels for Grover]]''<br>1984|link=Two Wheels for Grover
βˆ’
Image:Bigbirdvisitsthedodos.jpg|''[[Big Bird Visits the Dodos]]''<br>1985
+
Image:Book.bigbirdsays.jpg|''[[Big Bird Says... A Game to Read and Play]]''<br>1985|link=Big Bird Says... A Game to Read and Play
βˆ’
Image:Book.bigbirdcopycat.jpg|''[[Big Bird's Copycat Day]]''<br>1985
+
Image:Bigbirdvisitsthedodos.jpg|''[[Big Bird Visits the Dodos]]''<br>1985|link=Big Bird Visits the Dodos
βˆ’
Image:Book.iwanttogohome.jpg|''[[I Want to Go Home! (Sesame Street)|I Want to Go Home!]]''<br>1985
+
Image:Book.bigbirdcopycat.jpg|''[[Big Bird's Copycat Day]]''<br>1985|link=Big Bird's Copycat Day
βˆ’
Image:Book.visithospital.jpg|''[[A Visit to the Sesame Street Hospital]]''<br>1985
+
Image:Book.iwanttogohome.jpg|''[[I Want to Go Home! (Sesame Street)|I Want to Go Home!]]''<br>1985|link=I Want to Go Home! (Sesame Street)
βˆ’
Image:Book.visitlibrary.jpg|''[[A Visit to the Sesame Street Library]]''<br>1986
+
Image:Book.visithospital.jpg|''[[A Visit to the Sesame Street Hospital]]''<br>1985|link=A Visit to the Sesame Street Hospital
βˆ’
Image:Book.susangordonadopt.jpg|''[[Susan and Gordon Adopt a Baby]]''<br>1986
+
Image:Book.visitlibrary.jpg|''[[A Visit to the Sesame Street Library]]''<br>1986|link=A Visit to the Sesame Street Library
βˆ’
Image:Book.bigbirdsbigbook.jpg|''[[Big Bird's Big Book]]''<br>1987
+
Image:Book.susangordonadopt.jpg|''[[Susan and Gordon Adopt a Baby]]''<br>1986|link=Susan and Gordon Adopt a Baby
βˆ’
Image:Threegrouches2.jpg|''[[Goldilocks and the Three Grouches]]''<br>1987
+
Image:Book.bigbirdsbigbook.jpg|''[[Big Bird's Big Book]]''<br>1987|link=Big Bird's Big Book
βˆ’
Image:Book.visitmuseum.jpg|''[[A Visit to the Sesame Street Museum]]''<br>1987
+
Image:Threegrouches2.jpg|''[[Goldilocks and the Three Grouches]]''<br>1987|link=Goldilocks and the Three Grouches
βˆ’
Image:Book.waitforme.jpg|''[[Wait for Me!]]''<br>1987
+
Image:Book.visitmuseum.jpg|''[[A Visit to the Sesame Street Museum]]''<br>1987|link=A Visit to the Sesame Street Museum
βˆ’
Image:Book.itseasy.jpg|''[[It's Easy!]]''<br>1988
+
Image:Book.waitforme.jpg|''[[Wait for Me!]]''<br>1987|link=Wait for Me!
βˆ’
Image:Sesamestreetfiretrucks.jpg|''[[Sesame Street Fire Trucks]]''<br>1988
+
Image:Book.itseasy.jpg|''[[It's Easy!]]''<br>1988|link=It's Easy!
  +
SesameStreetFireSafetyBook.jpg|''[[Sesame Street Fire Safety Book]]''<br>1988|link=Sesame Street Fire Safety Book
Image:noimage-big.png|''[[Trucks in Your Neighborhood]]''<br>1988
 
βˆ’
Image:Amynameisalice.jpg|''[[A My Name Is Alice]]''<br>1989
+
Image:Sesamestreetfiretrucks.jpg|''[[Sesame Street Fire Trucks]]''<br>1988|link=Sesame Street Fire Trucks
 
Trucks in your neighborhood 1.jpg|''[[Trucks in Your Neighborhood]]''<br>1988|link=Trucks in Your Neighborhood
Image:Book.myway03.jpg|''[[On My Way with Sesame Street Volume 3]]'' *<br>1989
 
βˆ’
Image:Book.myway06.jpg|''[[On My Way with Sesame Street Volume 6]]'' *<br>1989
+
Image:Amynameisalice.jpg|''[[A My Name Is Alice]]''<br>1989|link=A My Name Is Alice
βˆ’
Image:Book.myway11.jpg|''[[On My Way with Sesame Street Volume 11]]'' *<br>1989
+
Image:Book.myway03.jpg|''[[On My Way with Sesame Street Volume 3]]'' *<br>1989|link=On My Way with Sesame Street Volume 3
βˆ’
Image:Book.myway12.jpg|''[[On My Way with Sesame Street Volume 12]]'' *<br>1989
+
Image:Book.myway06.jpg|''[[On My Way with Sesame Street Volume 6]]'' *<br>1989|link=On My Way with Sesame Street Volume 6
βˆ’
Image:Book.myway14.jpg|''[[On My Way with Sesame Street Volume 14]]'' *<br>1989
+
Image:Book.myway11.jpg|''[[On My Way with Sesame Street Volume 11]]'' *<br>1989|link=On My Way with Sesame Street Volume 11
βˆ’
Image:Book.erniebertkitten.jpg|''[[Ernie and Bert's New Kitten]]''<br>1990
+
Image:Book.myway12.jpg|''[[On My Way with Sesame Street Volume 12]]'' *<br>1989|link=On My Way with Sesame Street Volume 12
βˆ’
Image:Book.groverbaddream.jpg|''[[Grover's Bad Dream]]''<br>1990
+
Image:Book.myway14.jpg|''[[On My Way with Sesame Street Volume 14]]'' *<br>1989|link=On My Way with Sesame Street Volume 14
βˆ’
Image:SesameStreetPetParade.jpg|''[[The Sesame Street Pet Parade]]''<br>1990
+
Image:Book.erniebertkitten.jpg|''[[Ernie and Bert's New Kitten]]''<br>1990|link=Ernie and Bert's New Kitten
βˆ’
Image:Book.bigbirdviolin.jpg|''[[Big Bird Plays the Violin]]''<br>1991
+
Image:Book.groverbaddream.jpg|''[[Grover's Bad Dream]]''<br>1990|link=Grover's Bad Dream
βˆ’
Image:Book.birdwatchingwithbert.jpg|''[[Bird Watching with Bert]]''<br>1991
+
Image:SesameStreetPetParade.jpg|''[[The Sesame Street Pet Parade]]''<br>1990|link=The Sesame Street Pet Parade
βˆ’
Image:Book.howtoget.jpg|''[[How to Get to Sesame Street]]''<br>1991
+
Image:Sesame123CountingBook.jpg|''[[Sesame Street 123|123: A Counting Book from 1 to 100]]''<br>1991|link=Sesame Street 123
βˆ’
Image:Elmowantsabath.jpg|''[[Elmo Wants a Bath]]''<br>1992
+
Image:Book.bigbirdviolin.jpg|''[[Big Bird Plays the Violin]]''<br>1991|link=Big Bird Plays the Violin
βˆ’
Image:Popgoesthesanta.jpg|''[[Pop Goes the Santa!]]''<br>1992
+
Image:Book.birdwatchingwithbert.jpg|''[[Bird Watching with Bert]]''<br>1991|link=Bird Watching with Bert
βˆ’
Image:RainForestAdventure.jpg|''[[Rain Forest Adventure]]''<br>1992
+
Image:Book.howtoget.jpg|''[[How to Get to Sesame Street]]''<br>1991|link=How to Get to Sesame Street
βˆ’
Image:Book.weredifferentsame.jpg|''[[We're Different, We're the Same]]''<br>1992
+
Image:Elmowantsabath.jpg|''[[Elmo Wants a Bath]]''<br>1992|link=Elmo Wants a Bath
βˆ’
Image:Aroundthecornerbook.JPG|''[[Around the Corner on Sesame Street]]''<br>1994
+
Image:Popgoesthesanta.jpg|''[[Pop Goes the Santa!]]''<br>1992|link=Pop Goes the Santa!
βˆ’
Image:Book.liftandlook.jpg|''[[Elmo's Big Lift-and-Look Book]]''<br>1994
+
Image:RainForestAdventure.jpg|''[[Rain Forest Adventure]]''<br>1992|link=Rain Forest Adventure
βˆ’
Image:Elmoslittleglowworm.jpg|''[[Elmo's Little Glowworm]]''<br>1994
+
Image:WereDifferentSame-OriginalCover.jpg|''[[We're Different, We're the Same]]''<br>1992|link=We're Different, We're the Same
  +
Image:Aroundthecornerbook.JPG|''[[Around the Corner on Sesame Street]]''<br>1994|link=Around the Corner on Sesame Street
βˆ’
Image:Book.knockwhosthere.jpg|''[[Knock, Knock! Who's There?]]''<br>1994
 
βˆ’
Image:Book.whereohwhere.jpg|''[[Where, Oh, Where?]]''<br>1994
+
BrightandEarlywithElmo.jpg|''[[Bright and Early with Elmo]]''<br>1994|link=Bright and Early with Elmo
βˆ’
Image:Book.staysuplate.jpg|''[[Sesame Street Stays Up Late]]''<br>1995
+
Image:Book.liftandlook.jpg|''[[Elmo's Big Lift-and-Look Book]]''<br>1994|link=Elmo's Big Lift-and-Look Book
βˆ’
Image:WindowOnSS.jpg|''[[Window on Sesame Street]]''<br>1995
+
Image:Elmoslittleglowworm.jpg|''[[Elmo's Little Glowworm]]''<br>1994|link=Elmo's Little Glowworm
βˆ’
Image:Bisforbooks.jpg|''[[B is for Books!]]''<br>1996
+
Image:Book.knockwhosthere.jpg|''[[Knock, Knock! Who's There?]]''<br>1994|link=Knock, Knock! Who's There?
βˆ’
Image:Book.liftandpeekaroundcorner.jpg|''[[Elmo's Lift-and-Peek Around the Corner Book]]''<br>1996
+
Image:Book.whereohwhere.jpg|''[[Where, Oh, Where?]]''<br>1994|link=Where, Oh, Where?
βˆ’
Image:Canyoutellme.jpg|''[[Can You Tell Me How to Get to Sesame Street? (1997 book)|Can You Tell Me How to Get to Sesame Street?]]''<br>1997
+
Image:Book.staysuplate.jpg|''[[Sesame Street Stays Up Late]]''<br>1995|link=Sesame Street Stays Up Late
βˆ’
Image:Book.ABC123.jpg|''[[ABC and 123: A Sesame Street Treasury of Words and Numbers]]'' *<br>1998
+
Image:WindowOnSS.jpg|''[[Window on Sesame Street]]''<br>1995|link=Window on Sesame Street
βˆ’
Image:Learnaboutnumbers.jpg|''[[Learn About Numbers]]''<br>1998
+
Image:Bisforbooks.jpg|''[[B is for Books!]]''<br>1996|link=B is for Books!
βˆ’
Image:Book.liftandpeekparty.jpg|''[[Sesame Street Lift-and-Peek Party!]]''<br>1998
+
Image:Book.liftandpeekaroundcorner.jpg|''[[Elmo's Lift-and-Peek Around the Corner Book]]''<br>1996|link=Elmo's Lift-and-Peek Around the Corner Book
  +
Image:Canyoutellme.jpg|''[[Can You Tell Me How to Get to Sesame Street? (1997 book)|Can You Tell Me How to Get to Sesame Street?]]''<br>1997|link=Can You Tell Me How to Get to Sesame Street? (1997 book)
βˆ’
Image:Elmoswishes.jpg|''[[Elmo's Wishes]]''<br>1998
 
βˆ’
Image:Ernieswishes.jpg|''[[Ernie's Wishes]]''<br>1998
+
Colors book 1.jpg|''[[Colors]]''<br>1997|link=Colors
  +
Image:Book.ABC123.jpg|''[[ABC and 123: A Sesame Street Treasury of Words and Numbers]]'' *<br>1998|link=ABC and 123: A Sesame Street Treasury of Words and Numbers
βˆ’
Image:Book.busybaby.jpg|''[[Elmo's Busy Baby Book]]''<br>1999
 
βˆ’
Image:Broughtbyb.jpg|''[[Brought to You By the Letter B]]''<br>2000
+
Image:Learnaboutnumbers.jpg|''[[Learn About Numbers]]''<br>1998|link=Learn About Numbers
βˆ’
Image:Erniesjokebook.jpg|''[[Ernie's Joke Book]]''<br>2001
+
Image:Book.liftandpeekparty.jpg|''[[Sesame Street Lift-and-Peek Party!]]''<br>1998|link=Sesame Street Lift-and-Peek Party!
βˆ’
Image:Ifyourehappy.jpg|''[[If You're Happy and You Know It... Clap Your Paws!]]''<br>2001
+
Image:Elmoswishes.jpg|''[[Elmo's Wishes]]''<br>1998|link=Elmo's Wishes
βˆ’
Image:Broughttoyyou.jpg|''[[Brought to You by... Sesame Street!]]'' *<br>2004
+
Image:Ernieswishes.jpg|''[[Ernie's Wishes]]''<br>1998|link=Ernie's Wishes
βˆ’
Image:FirstSesameStreetLibrary.jpg|''[[First Sesame Street Library]]'' *<br>2004
+
Image:Book.busybaby.jpg|''[[Elmo's Busy Baby Book]]''<br>1999|link=Elmo's Busy Baby Book
βˆ’
Image:Justthewayyouare.jpg|''[[Just the Way You Are (book)|Just the Way You Are]]''<br>2004
+
Image:Broughtbyb.jpg|''[[Brought to You By the Letter B]]''<br>2000|link=Brought to You By the Letter B
βˆ’
Image:TheCitySingsaSong.jpg|''[[The City Sings a Song!]]''<br>2005
+
Image:Erniesjokebook.jpg|''[[Ernie's Joke Book]]''<br>2001|link=Ernie's Joke Book
  +
Image:Ifyourehappy.jpg|''[[If You're Happy and You Know It... Clap Your Paws!]]''<br>2001|link=If You're Happy and You Know It... Clap Your Paws!
βˆ’
Image:FunWithFriends.jpg|''[[Fun with Friends]]''<br>2005
 
βˆ’
Image:StopnGoSafety.jpg|''[[Stop 'n' Go Safety!]]''<br>2005
+
Image:Broughttoyyou.jpg|''[[Brought to You by... Sesame Street!]]''*<br>2004|link=Brought to You by... Sesame Street!
  +
CountwithMeSesameStreet.jpg|''[[Count with Me (2004 book)|Count with Me]]''<br>2004|link=Count with Me (2004 book)
βˆ’
Image:Bigblockparty.jpg|''[[Big Block Party!]]''<br>2006
 
βˆ’
Image:ComePlaywithElmo.jpg|''[[Come Play with Elmo]]''<br>2006
+
Image:FirstSesameStreetLibrary.jpg|''[[First Sesame Street Library]]''*<br>2004|link=First Sesame Street Library
βˆ’
Image:Eatyourcolors.jpg|''[[Eat Your Colors]]''<br>2006
+
GoodNight.jpg|''[[Good Night]]''<br>2004|link=Good Night
βˆ’
Image:Sisforschool.jpg|''[[S is for School!]]''<br>2006
+
Image:Justthewayyouare.jpg|''[[Just the Way You Are (book)|Just the Way You Are]]''<br>2004|link=Just the Way You Are (book)
βˆ’
Image:SesameSubjects.Dogs.jpg|''[[My First Book About Dogs]]''<br>2006
+
Image:TheCitySingsaSong.jpg|''[[The City Sings a Song!]]''<br>2005|link=The City Sings a Song!
βˆ’
Image:SesameSubjects.ThingsThatGo.jpg|''[[My First Book About Things that Go]]''<br>2006
+
Image:FunWithFriends.jpg|''[[Fun with Friends]]''<br>2005|link=Fun with Friends
βˆ’
Image:Elmosplaces.jpg|''[[Elmo's Favorite Places]]''<br>2007
+
Image:StopnGoSafety.jpg|''[[Stop 'n' Go Safety!]]''<br>2005|link=Stop 'n' Go Safety!
βˆ’
Image:SesameStreetFieldTrip1.jpg|''[[Field Trip!]]''<br>2007
+
Image:Bigblockparty.jpg|''[[Big Block Party!]]''<br>2006|link=Big Block Party!
βˆ’
Image:AnimalMixMatch.jpg|''[[Elmo Animal Mix & Match]]''<br>2008
+
Image:ComePlaywithElmo.jpg|''[[Come Play with Elmo]]''<br>2006|link=Come Play with Elmo
βˆ’
Image:Everybodydance.jpg|''[[Everybody Dance!]]''<br>2008
+
Image:Eatyourcolors.jpg|''[[Eat Your Colors!]]''<br>2006|link=Eat Your Colors!
βˆ’
Image:PictureStories.jpg|''[[Elmo & Friends Picture Stories]]''<br>2008
+
Image:Sisforschool.jpg|''[[S is for School!]]''<br>2006|link=S is for School!
βˆ’
Image:Abby-mixandmatch.jpg|''[[Abby Mix & Match Nursery Rhymes]]''<br>2009
+
Image:SesameSubjects.Dogs.jpg|''[[My First Book About Dogs]]''<br>2006|link=My First Book About Dogs
βˆ’
Image:Abbymakesawish.jpg|''[[Abby Cadabby Makes a Wish]]''<br>2010
+
Image:SesameSubjects.ThingsThatGo.jpg|''[[My First Book About Things that Go]]''<br>2006|link=My First Book About Things that Go
βˆ’
Image:Plantatreeforme.jpg|''[[Plant a Tree for Me!]]''<br>2010
+
Image:Elmosplaces.jpg|''[[Elmo's Favorite Places]]''<br>2007|link=Elmo's Favorite Places
  +
Image:SesameStreetFieldTrip1.jpg|''[[Field Trip!]]''<br>2007|link=Field Trip!
  +
Image:AnimalMixMatch.jpg|''[[Elmo Animal Mix & Match]]''<br>2008|link=Elmo Animal Mix & Match
  +
Image:Everybodydance.jpg|''[[Everybody Dance!]]''<br>2008|link=Everybody Dance!
  +
Image:PictureStories.jpg|''[[Elmo & Friends Picture Stories]]''<br>2008|link=Elmo & Friends Picture Stories
  +
Image:Abby-mixandmatch.jpg|''[[Abby Mix & Match Nursery Rhymes]]''<br>2009|link=Abby Mix & Match Nursery Rhymes
  +
Image:Abbymakesawish.jpg|''[[Abby Cadabby Makes a Wish]]''<br>2010|link=Abby Cadabby Makes a Wish
  +
File:Letsvisitsesamestreet.jpg|''[[Let's Visit Sesame Street]]''<br>2010|link=Let's Visit Sesame Street
  +
Image:Plantatreeforme.jpg|''[[Plant a Tree for Me!]]''<br>2010|link=Plant a Tree for Me!
  +
Image:Grouchesaregreen.jpg|''[[Grouches Are Green]]''<br>2011|link=Grouches Are Green
  +
Get moving with elmo!.jpg|''[[Get Moving with Elmo!]]''<br>2012|link=Get Moving with Elmo!
  +
Image:Ismyfacered.jpg|''[[Is My Face Red!]]''<br>2012|link=Is My Face Red!
  +
guesswhoeasterelmo.jpg|''[[Guess Who, Easter Elmo!]]''<br>2015|link=Guess Who, Easter Elmo!
 
</gallery>
 
</gallery>
   
 
==Merchandise==
 
==Merchandise==
βˆ’
<gallery perrow=3 widths="200px" heights="250px">
+
<gallery captionalign="left">
  +
Image:SesameMathieuPuzzle.JPG|''Sesame Street'' puzzle<br>c. 1970's
 
Image:Woodblocksposter.jpg|[[Sesame Street Wood Blocks]] poster<br>1975
 
Image:Woodblocksposter.jpg|[[Sesame Street Wood Blocks]] poster<br>1975
 
Image:Countcbook.jpg|''[[Sesame Street coloring books|The Count's Coloring Book]]''<br>(coloring book)<br>1976
 
Image:Countcbook.jpg|''[[Sesame Street coloring books|The Count's Coloring Book]]''<br>(coloring book)<br>1976
 
Image:Ssmag.198609.jpg|''[[Sesame Street Magazine]]''<br>(1977 - present)
 
Image:Cbook.whoswho.jpg|''[[Who's Who on Sesame Street]]''<br>(coloring book)<br>1977
 
Image:Cbook.whoswho.jpg|''[[Who's Who on Sesame Street]]''<br>(coloring book)<br>1977
 
Image:Album.ss-storytime.jpg|''[[Sesame Street Story Time]]'' (album)<br>1978
 
Image:Album.ss-storytime.jpg|''[[Sesame Street Story Time]]'' (album)<br>1978
Line 144: Line 156:
 
Image:SESAME STREET LIVE AMATEUR COVER.JPG|''[[Big Bird's Super Spectacular Totally Amateur Show]]''<br>(program)<br>1981
 
Image:SESAME STREET LIVE AMATEUR COVER.JPG|''[[Big Bird's Super Spectacular Totally Amateur Show]]''<br>(program)<br>1981
 
Image:Sesameplate1983.jpg|[[Sesame Street Gorham Plates]]<br>1983
 
Image:Sesameplate1983.jpg|[[Sesame Street Gorham Plates]]<br>1983
βˆ’
File:Sesamegame1.jpg|''[[Sesame Street (game)|Sesame Street]]'' game<br>1985
+
Image:Sesamegame1.jpg|''[[Sesame Street (game)|Sesame Street]]'' game<br>1985
  +
Wendys Follow that Bird.jpg|[[Follow That Bird Wendy's Kids Meal]]<br>1985
βˆ’
Image:Newwhoswho.jpg|''[[The New Who's Who on Sesame Street]]'' *<br>(coloring book)<br>1989
 
βˆ’
File:Whenigrowup.jpg|''[[When I Grow Up (Sesame Street Live)|When I Grow Up]]''<br>(program)<br>1993
+
Image:Newwhoswho.jpg|''[[Who's Who on Sesame Street|The New Who's Who on Sesame Street]]'' *<br>(coloring book)<br>1989
  +
Image:Monsterhitsposter.jpg|''[[Monster Hits!]]'' song-lyric poster<br>1990
  +
Image:Singyourselfsillyposter.jpg|''[[Sing Yourself Silly!]]'' song-lyric poster<br>1990
  +
Image:Whenigrowup.jpg|''[[When I Grow Up (Sesame Street Live)|When I Grow Up]]''<br>(program)<br>1993
  +
Image:SegaCountingCafe.jpg|''[[Counting CafΓ©]]''<br>(video game)<br>1994
 
Image:Program.letsbefriends.jpg|''[[Let's Be Friends]]''<br>(program)<br>1994
 
Image:Program.letsbefriends.jpg|''[[Let's Be Friends]]''<br>(program)<br>1994
  +
Image:Sesamestreetartworkshopcreativewondersfrontcover.jpg|''[[Elmo's Art Workshop|Art Workshop]]''<br>(CD-ROM game)<br>1995
  +
Image:Getsettolearn1995creativewonderscdromfrontcover.jpg|''[[Get Set to Learn]]''<br>(CD-ROM game)<br>1995
  +
Image:LetsMakeAWord.jpg|''[[Let's Make a Word!]]''<br>(CD-ROM game)<br>1995
  +
Image:Numbers1998reissue.jpg|''[[Numbers (CD-ROM)|Numbers]]''<br>(CD-ROM game)<br>1995
 
Image:123 imagine program.jpg|''[[1-2-3 Imagine!]]''<br>(program)<br>1996
 
Image:123 imagine program.jpg|''[[1-2-3 Imagine!]]''<br>(program)<br>1996
βˆ’
Image:LetsMakeAWord.jpg|''[[Let's Make a Word!]]''<br>(CD-ROM game)<br>2001
+
Image:Elmo's preschool original version.jpg|''[[Elmo's Preschool]]''<br>(CD-ROM game)<br>1996
  +
Image:SesameStreetLettersCreativeWonders.jpg|''[[Letters (CD-ROM)|Letters]]''<br>(CD-ROM game)<br>1997
  +
Image:Sesamestreettoddlerdeluxefrontcover.jpg|''[[Sesame Street Learning Series]]''<br>(CD-ROM deluxe sets)<br>1997
  +
Image:Elmosartworkshopcreativewonders1998frontcover.jpg|''[[Elmo's Art Workshop]]''<br>(CD-ROM game)<br>1998
  +
Image:Searchandlearnadventurescreativewonders1998frontcover.jpg|''[[Search and Learn Adventures]]''<br>(CD-ROM game)<br>1998
  +
Image:Babyandmecreativewonders1999frontcover.jpg|''[[Baby and Me]]''<br>(CD-ROM game)<br>1999
 
Image:Mathieu.smileconnectsus.jpg|''[[Thanks & Giving All Year Long]]''<br>2004
 
Image:Mathieu.smileconnectsus.jpg|''[[Thanks & Giving All Year Long]]''<br>2004
βˆ’
Image:Applause-tin-JoeMathieu.png|[[Sesame Street tins (Applause)|tin canister]]<br>''unknown date''
+
Image:Applause-tin-JoeMathieu.png|[[Sesame Street tin boxes (Applause)|''Sesame Street'' tin canister]]<br>''unknown date''
 
</gallery>
 
</gallery>
   

Revision as of 00:44, 7 January 2015

Joemathieu2008

Joe Mathieu in 2008.

Joe-mathieu-miss-piggy
Joe-monster

Joe and Gorgon Heap

Joe Mathieu (b. January 23, 1949)[1] is a freelance artist who has provided illustrations for Sesame Street books and merchandise since 1972, a year after graduating from the Rhode Island School of Design. [2] Mathieu remembers: "I spent the year following graduation building up my portfolio. Then I went to New York City and I was scared to death. Sesame Street was just starting and wanted someone young and new to set the style for their books, that’s how I ended up at Random House. That led to Jim Henson and the Muppets, and then we really got going, I couldn’t believe how fast." [3]

Some notable titles include Cookie Monster and the Cookie Tree, The Ernie & Bert Book and The Exciting Adventures of Super Grover which was adapted into a video storybook. He also provided artwork for the adaptation of Sesame Street episode 1839 published as I'll Miss You, Mr. Hooper and the 1978 special Christmas Eve on Sesame Street.

His most extensive contributions have been to The Sesame Street Dictionary in 1980, and hundreds of features and covers for Sesame Street Magazine over the years. The dictionary features illustrations for 1,300 words over the course of 250 pages. When the book was redistributed in volume form, Mathieu provided additional artwork for that as well. It has been printed in a Dutch translation and was reissued in English in 2004.

As an early illustrator for Sesame Street, Mathieu helped set a precedent for character style. This is evident in the 1979 Character Style Guide which was put together as a reference point for licensors on how the Sesame Street Muppets should be rendered. Around 2004, Mathieu made the transition from his traditional reflective art, to a digital medium. Most of his work for Sesame Street books after this time has been digitally rendered at some point in the creation process.

He has also illustrated other Sesame Street merchandise, such as the lyrics posters for Sing Yourself Silly! and Monster Hits, Sesame Street Live program booklets, and a 1983 collectible Christmas plate made by Gorham.

Other children's books have included The Eye Book (1998) and The Tooth Book (1989) by Theodor Geisel under the pen name Theo. LeSieg. He also illustrated books based on The Wubbulous World of Dr. Seuss: The King's Beard and The Gink. His affection for Sesame Street is evident in Busy City, a non-Sesame Street book written by Mathieu featuring a set visit to the CTW production. In Elmo's Lift-and-Peek Around the Corner Book from 1996, Mathieu drew Baby Natasha reading one of his books, Big Joe's Trailer Truck from 1974.

Quotes

Self illustration of Joe Mathieu

Self-portrait of Joe Mathieu.

  • "Jim Henson was the art director β€” he sat down with me and explained to me what he wanted. He gave me free rein to watch the show being taped, which I did a million times. I had carte blanche to visit the Muppet morgue β€” literally a morgue of old Muppet puppets. I watched how personality was breathed into the puppets by the puppeteers. I used to go to the show tapings, alone for the most part, and sit there and sketch. We didn’t have a color TV, no tape machines. I had to draw in real time." [3]
  • "Big Joe’s Trailer Truck was by first big solo thing. I’m an illustrator and I had an opportunity to write a book. I never wrote a book before, but I guess I was just hot because of my association to Sesame Street. I didn’t have a lot of time to make up a town, so I just drew the town I lived in. I didn’t think everyone would recognize it, but they did. That really took off, it was translated into a dozen languages, which I never dreamed of. That was my big hit. I had so many opportunities to work with great writers. I even did a couple of Dr. Seuss books." [3]
  • "I fought [digital illustration] every inch of the way. Talk about getting out of your comfort zone β€” I couldn’t even send an e-mail. I tried everything I could to trick people, but the fact of the matter is, if it’s on paper, the young art directors didn’t want to see it. They’d never seen paper art before. They wanted to do changes on finished art, which for years was sacred. You had to make changes in the sketch phase. There was no way an illustrator could compete without working in digital. The rules had changed dramatically overnight. It became harder to find good paper and paints. Paints I used since the ’60s, (and) the companies, went out of business. I had completely embraced digital work, I never wanted to see a bowl and brush again. I never wanted to go back to all those limitations." [3]
  • "I have to be ready to do either one [traditional or digital art]. It’s a different look, for certain things the traditional way is more appropriate. You can do a really beautiful book traditionally for a few that can afford it. But the mass market is there for kids like we started catering to with Sesame Street. I can still do my very best work digitally, and the book can be treated more casually. I like doing both. In the end, traditional style has a certain depth, softness, subtlety that’s not quite in the digital world." [3]
  • "My name is pronounced either the American way or the French way... My father, who was in the 5th Marine division on Iwo Jima, would only allow the American version. I like either, but although my family always uses the American pronunciation, I always quietly preferred the French. I will normally use the American unless I am in France or Canada. Please yourself on this one." [4]


Books

* indicates co-illustrator

Merchandise

Sources

  1. ↑ http://www.encyclopedia.com/doc/1G2-3071100065.html
  2. ↑ joemathieu.com
  3. ↑ 3.0 3.1 3.2 3.3 3.4 Chiari, Tom. "Q&A with Joe Mathieu, Sesame Street illustrator", Norwich Bulletin, Norwich, CT. March 16, 2010.
  4. ↑ Clark, Thomas D. Email interview with Joe Mathieu, December 1, 2009.

External links