Imagination Illustrated: The Jim Henson Journal

Jim Henson was a genius. Henson wanted to leave the world a better place and I firmly believe that he did.For myself, I grew up watching him or more specifically, his creations on Sesame Street, The Muppet Show, Fraggle Rock, adored his films, The Dark Crystal, and Labyrinth. There was little in our world as kids that Jim Henson wasn't a part of. My son was just two years old when Jim Henson died of complications from pneumonia. I never cry for "celebrity" deaths, but I cried my eyes out when Jim passed because I felt as if I lost a member of the family.This book gives some real insights into how driven and intensely creative Jim Henson the man was. It is set up in many ways like a journal because Jim Henson was the kind of person whose intense creativity required him to make copious notes in his journal which he called his Red Book. He would journal about EVERYTHING from family events to such as when the kids started school got a dog or went on vacations around the world as a family. Particularly fascinating were his collaborations with other artists that included long-time partner Frank Oz as well as with other creative geniuses like Vincent Price, George Lucas, Brian Froud and David Bowie in the creation of the cult-classic, Labyrinth.Jim Henson used to make handwritten notes which he would often place beside sketches of his ideas. He would spruce these up with colored pencils or markers and would make notes as to when he talked to other fellow creatives. He would also cross-reference from one journal to the next when he started a new one at the beginning of each year. I found it really kind of sad but interesting that in spite of the incredible success he had created through the Sesame Street ventures and their vast popularity and name-recognition that he, Jim actually had difficulty in getting the Muppet Show funded! Knowing how much bigger it all became after the Muppet Show, the movies featuring the Muppets and the later merger with Disney, all of this just sounds so unbelievable!Those who are super inspired and interested in the work and person of Jim Henson can see where all of his journals, photos, and other materials are being housed at the University of Mississippi. If you cannot make it there, this book gives a wonderful insight into Jim Henson's life and work.

Ordered this for my niece who is an art student. Like her I’ve always loved Jim Henson. What a neat book! She loved it!!

I received this item in fine condition, in the time advised. I have no issues with my order. This is an interesting Henson item, if you are a big fan, this is an item for you. i am glad to have in my collection.

While not as extensive as Brian Jay Jones' critically acclaimed biography, this book gives a good look at the production and work of several of the works of a great and talented man. You'll see and learn things you may not have ever known about Jim Henson (I certainly did). I recommend to any fans of this talented man.

im Henson is clearly one of the creative/imaginative geniuses of our time. He was taken from our world way too soon. There have been plenty of books which talk of his genius, or his roots, but there have been no books that get to his process, or show exactly what his mind was thinking of and how he translated that to paper--until now. Imagination Illustrated is the perfect book for the creative or Henson fan in your life.Detailing specific events he jotted down in his many notebooks throughout the course of his life, Imagination Illustrated also shows different ideas and pictures of the things found inside Henson's head as his ideas went from brain to paper. Sometimes they weren't amazing, and other times they turned out far better than anyone could have hoped. This is an inspiring tome for those with a journal, or those who have a creative dream.

highly recommend for any jim henson fan, easy to read and more fun than a biography, great pictures, corners were a little banged up but otherwise great

Bought this for my boyfriend and I stole it to read- an awesome and personal account of Henson’s career through his personal notes, drawings, ect. I learned a lot! Plus it looks beautiful on display as a coffee table book.

As a fan of the blog "Jim's Red Book," I've always wanted to see it turn into an actual book. My prayers have been answered. The book features notes from Jim Henson's journal that he compiled from 1954 to 1988. The real joy is seeing rarely seen photos and material from The Jim Henson Company Archives.Despite the major Muppet brands being owned by three companies (Henson, Disney, Sesame Workshop), it is wonderful that they cooperated to give Muppet fans a detailed and comprehensive look behind-the-scenes at all the Muppet productions, with thoughts from Jim himself. Complete with sketches and exciting photos of Henson characters and staff, Imagination Illustrated is a real treat. Any real Muppet/Jim Henson fan will want this book. My only complaint is that the Henson Archives is probably so vast, not everything could fit into this book. I propose a sequel.

a fabulous look into the creativity of Jim Henson

A beautiful book

As a Jim Henson fan, and having read a few books about him, The Muppets and Sesame Street, I wanted to give this book a read as I thought it would be more personal given the access to his Red Book.There are a number of photos and sketches which are interesting to see but, in terms of the reading, while being light and informative, I thought some of the content had been edited and used in more than one chapter.I would recommend looking at alternative books about Henson and his legacy to compare to this one before purchasing it because there are better out there

Recomendado si te gusta lo que hizo el bueno de Jim y su universo. No defrauda.

got a great second hand copy.