ILZE COOMBE'S PREVIOUS WORKS
I have been a Graphic Designer and Latvian book illustrator since 1973. From April 1972 to April 1973 I was a guest student at the Applied Art School of Zurich Switzerland, where I studied Etching, Typography, Anatomy, Book-binding and Nature Study as it applied to art.
Below is one of the etchings from the Sleeping Beauty series which I completed at this time. The school kept 2 complete sets, comprising 5 etchings and handset storyline. Clever school: in case any student ever became famous, they had acquired the work free of charge. Now that’s investment! Investment in art increases at the rate of 10% per year.
“The Awakening of Sleeping Beauty”
I exhibited my etchings and book illustrations in Wittlich, Germany in 1975. Below is the English translation of the review in their local paper and the front page of the exhibition leaflet.
I am still available for Graphic Design projects. My clients have included:
Dynamix Sportswear;
Seasuits Australia;
State Bank of SA;
Thomas & Associates;
Portfolio Dynamics; and
Rodney Fox for whom I designed a tourism T-shirt for his Great Whaleshark Adventure in Exmouth, WA. (T-shirt now is a collector’s item)
Book Illustration
I illustrated three Latvian language books for Ziemelblazma publishers in Sweden under my maiden name of Ilze Strautins. The books were: “Vardi – Atspulgi” (1973), a poetry book by Arija Zveja.
Vignette for chapter of love poetry in Zveja’s book
The publisher Janis Abucs assigned me 2 more books to illustrate: “Talos celos, savos laudis” by Janis Rudzitis, a Latvian journalist reminiscing on his travels throughout Europe amongst the Latvians. The illustrative task was to give each chapter’s first letter a graphic image which would tell the reader which place was being described.
Chapter first initials “D” (seagull) Luebeck, Germany
“P” another coastal town. “L” the mermaid: Copenhagen;
“T” Rome – the ancient theatre, “A” Eating sausages and drinking beer in Bavaria
“T” London: Englishman smoking his pipe. “Z” – you guessed it – relaxing on vacation!
The original illustrations of the above books are now available for purchase at Michael Treloar Antiquarian Booksellers on North Terrace, Adelaide.
Illustrated also a book of memoirs by Mirdza Cuibe, called “Stundas un Pulksteni” (Hours and clocks)
For the Australian Latvian playwright Aina Vavere I illustrated two books.
Illustrated one German children’s book by Rudolf Otto Wiemer “Micha mochte gern.” Due to a misunderstanding my illustrations were not published, but you can find the originals at Michael Treloars
