Charles Noel van Sandwyk (born 1966) is a
Canadian
Canadians (french: Canadiens) are people identified with the country of Canada. This connection may be residential, legal, historical or cultural. For most Canadians, many (or all) of these connections exist and are collectively the source of ...
artist, illustrator and writer.
Background
Born in
South Africa
South Africa, officially the Republic of South Africa (RSA), is the Southern Africa, southernmost country in Africa. It is bounded to the south by of coastline that stretch along the Atlantic Ocean, South Atlantic and Indian Oceans; to the ...
, van Sandwyk was exposed to art from an early age, as his father was a graphic designer. At age 12, he emigrated to
Canada
Canada is a country in North America. Its ten provinces and three territories extend from the Atlantic Ocean to the Pacific Ocean and northward into the Arctic Ocean, covering over , making it the world's second-largest country by tot ...
where his family settled in
Deep Cove,
North Vancouver,
British Columbia
British Columbia (commonly abbreviated as BC) is the westernmost province of Canada, situated between the Pacific Ocean and the Rocky Mountains. It has a diverse geography, with rugged landscapes that include rocky coastlines, sandy beaches, ...
. While a high school student he earned income by performing for children as a
magician and
unicyclist
A unicycle is a vehicle that touches the ground with only one wheel. The most common variation has a frame with a saddle, and has a pedal-driven direct-drive. A two speed hub is commercially available for faster unicycling. Unicycling is practic ...
. His artistic ability began while still in elementary school, where he was an exceptional
calligrapher
Calligraphy (from el, link=y, καλλιγραφία) is a visual art related to writing. It is the design and execution of lettering with a pen, ink brush, or other writing instrument. Contemporary calligraphic practice can be defined as "t ...
, a talent he still uses in his illustrations. He experimented with copper plate etchings as a teen, and developed his unique style. He studied commercial art at
Capilano College
Capilano University (CapU) is a teaching-focused public university based in North Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada, located on the slopes of the North Shore Mountains, with programming that also serves the Sea-to-Sky Corridor and the Sunshine ...
. At age 19, he travelled to
Fiji and developed a deep connection with the South Pacific. For a number of years, he spent several months annually on the tiny island of
Tavewa, five hours by boat from Fiji's main island of
Viti Levu
Viti Levu (pronounced ) is the largest island in the Republic of Fiji. It is the site of the nation's capital, Suva, and home to a large majority of Fiji's population.
Geology
Fiji lies in a tectonically complex area between the Australian ...
.
Some of van Sandwyk's paintings hang in the
National Library of Canada
Library and Archives Canada (LAC; french: Bibliothèque et Archives Canada) is the federal institution, tasked with acquiring, preserving, and providing accessibility to the documentary heritage of Canada. The national archive and library is t ...
, as well as in several important private collections. He is the writer and illustrator of several books including ''The Parade to Paradise'', ''How to See Fairies'', and ''Sketches from the Dream Island of Birds''. He has provided illustrations for
Folio Society
The Folio Society is a London-based publisher, founded by Charles Ede in 1947 and incorporated in 1971. Formerly privately owned, it operates as an employee ownership trust since 2021.
It produces illustrated hardback editions of classic fic ...
editions of ''
The Blue Fairy Book
''The Langs' Fairy Books'' are a series of 25 collections of true and fictional stories for children published between 1889 and 1913 by Andrew Lang and his wife, Leonora Blanche Alleyne. The best known books of the series are the 12 collections ...
'' and ''
The Wind in the Willows
''The Wind in the Willows'' is a children's novel by the British novelist Kenneth Grahame, first published in 1908. It details the story of Mole, Ratty, and Badger as they try to help Mr. Toad, after he becomes obsessed with motorcars and get ...
'', and a Limited Centenary Edition of ''Wind In The Willows.'' His book, ''How to See Fairies'', received its own Folio Society edition in 2018.
Selected publications
* Selection of Neighbourly Birds of the New World (Canada). North Vancouver, BC:: Charles van Sandwyk, 1987. 36 pages. Limited edition of 126 copies.
* Five Endemic Species of Psittaciformes Found in the Fiji Islands: Handcoloured Etchings and Observations. Vancouver, BC: Charles van Sandwyk, 1990. 16 pages.
* Affairs of the Heart According to Birds. 1991.
* Strange Birds. North Vancouver, BC: Charles van Sandwyk, 1991. 18 pages.
* The Parade to Paradise. Vancouver, BC: Raincoast / Smithmark, 1992. 42 pages. Trade edition
* The Parade to Paradise. Vancouver, BC: Raincoast. 42 pages, 1992. Collector's edition. Signed, with an etching. Limited edition of 250 copies.
* How to See Fairies. North Vancouver, BC: Fairy Press, 1993. 16 pages.
* Wee Folk Drawn from Life. North Vancouver, BC: Charles van Sandwyk, 1994. 12 pages. Seattle Bookfair Award winner. Limited edition of 40 copies.
* Van Sandwyk's Bird & Bee Band. North Vancouver, BC: Charles van Sandwyk Fine Arts, 1994. 7 pages.
* Sketches From the Dream Island of Birds. North Vancouver, BC: Charles van Sandwyk, 1995. 28 pages. Limited edition of 200 copies.
* Selection of Neighbourly Birds of the New World (Canada). North Vancouver, BC: Charles van Sandwyk Fine Arts, 1995. 24 pages.
* Sketches From a Tropic Isle. North Vancouver, BC: Charles van Sandwyk, 1997. 28 pages.
* Van Sandwyk's Pocket Guide to the Little People. North Vancouver, BC: Fairy Press, 1997. 24 pages.
* Animal Wisdom. North Vancouver, BC: Charles van Sandwyk Fine Arts, 1999. 25 pages.
* Charles Van Sandwyk: An Interim Bibliography 1983 to 2000. Vancouver, BC: Heavenly Monkey & Charles van Sandwyk Fine Arts, 2000. 18 pages. Limited edition of 50 copies.
* The Gnome King's Treasure Song. North Vancouver, BC: Fairy Press, 2000. 16 pages.
* You Who for this Day Prepare. Vancouver, BC: Charles van Sandwyk, 2001. 16 pages. Limited edition of 15 copies.
* The Fairies' Christmas. North Vancouver, BC: Fairy Press, 2001. 4 pages.
* The Meaning of Mice. North Vancouver, BC: Fairy Press, 2002. 11 pages.
* Affairs of the Heart According to Peaceable Creatures. North Vancouver, BC: Charles van Sandwyk Fine Arts, 2003. 28 pages.
* Mr. Rabbit's Christmas Wish. North Vancouver, BC: Charles van Sandwyk Fine Arts, 2004. 16 pages.
* The Mouse & The Lizard: A Tale of Two Bookplates. Vancouver, BC: Heavenly Monkey, 2005. 21 pages.
* Twenty-One Years, Twenty-One Prints & Suites. North Vancouver, BC: Charles van Sandwyk pages, 2007. Limited edition of 10 copies.
* The Simple Line. Vancouver, BC: Heavenly Monkey Editions & Charles van Sandwyk Fine Arts, 2007. 11 pages. Limited edition of 50 copies.
* Mr Rabbit's Symphony of Nature. North Vancouver, BC: Charles van Sandwyk Fine Arts, 2008. 24 pages.
* Afterglow. North Vancouver, BC: Fairy Press, 2008. 8 pages.
* The Philosopher's Cupboard. Vancouver, BC: Savuti Press, 2009. 18 pages. Signed. Limited edition of 199 numbered copies.
* The Fairy Market. North Vancouver, BC: Fairy Press, 2009. 12 pages.
* Canadian Content. North Vancouver, BC: Charles van Sandwyk Fine Arts, 2009. 24 pages.
* Betwixt And Between: The Art and Influences of Charles van Sandwyk. North Vancouver, BC: Charles van Sandwyk Fine Arts, 2011. Signed. Limited edition of 100 copies.
* Will O' The Wisps (for Tiny Hands). North Vancouver, BC: Charles van Sandwyk, 2011. 9 unnumbered pages. Signed. Limited edition of 35 copies.
* Full Moon Eyes: An Ode to the Forbearance of Owls. North Vancouver, BC: Charles van Sandwyk Fine Arts, 2012. 18 pages.
* I Believe. 2012.
* Two Poems & A Hidden Thought. North Vancouver, BC: Savuti Press, 2012. 7 pages + 1 unnumbered page.
* An Unexpected Gift: The Untold Tale of Bartholomew the Green (Cousin to our beloved Father Christmas) who left the Comforts of Antarctica to Help Restore an Old-fashioned Christmas to a Wayward and Needy World. North Vancouver, BC: Charles van Sandwyk, 2013. 21 pages + 16 unnumbered pages of plates.
* Long Ago in Bangalore. North Vancouver, BC: Charles van Sandwyk Fine Arts, 2014. 4 unnumbered pages + 6 bookplates + 4 bookmarks.
References
External links
* Archives of Charles van Sandwy
(Charles van Sandwyk fonds, R11825)are held at
Library and Archives Canada
Charles van Sandwyk fondsat The University of British Columbia Library
Charles van Sandwyk fondsat Simon Fraser University Library
Bio and Booksat Books Tell You Why
*
Charles van Sandwyk Fine Arts Books & CardsRecords of Charles van Sandwyk are held by Simon Fraser University's Special Collections and Rare Books
{{DEFAULTSORT:Van Sandwyk, Charles
1966 births
Living people
Canadian children's book illustrators
Capilano University alumni
20th-century Canadian painters
Canadian male painters
21st-century Canadian painters
20th-century Canadian male artists
21st-century Canadian male artists