The Artist

[DJ]

I was wondering, as a fan of Cat Stevens fantastic illustrations, as well as his music, if anyone knows if Yusuf still continued creating any paintings after becoming a Muslim?

[sue]

He's done some illustrations for the boxed set book along with his daughter according to the credits in the back of the book.

[Vivian]

I do believe he did the art work for A IS FOR ALLAH!

Peace,Vivian

[DJ]

Sue,
I love the design and illustrations in the box set book.
A lot of the illustrations I recognise as drawings that Yusuf had done at about the time each track was recorded. The only ones I had not seen before but look very much like his style are the drawing of Piccadilly Circus on P.13, the Peace Train on P30/31, and the TV on P.45, which I wasn't sure if they were old ones or done for the box set.
The beautiful headers of land and seascapes look to have a different, less graphic, style than Yusuf's, I wonder if these may be by the hand of the other artist Emil Dacanay, that has a credit, or by Aminah Islam.
I thought possibly Aminah's may have only been the childrens style track paintings on P.88/89?

[Chris]

Hello DJ,

I too really love the design of the boxset. one thing about Yusuf/Cat he knew /knows how to design something with taste.

You mentioned 'Emil Dacanay' as possibly drawing sone of the art featured in the boxset. Mr. Dacanay works for 'Whereforart?' the graphic design company thaty put the boxset together. I don't think he is an artist, but his talents show for themselves the way the book was placed together.

Now I remember hearing Yusuf mention in one of his radio interviews that his daughter was a fabulous artist. He went on to say that she was much better than he ever was. So it's possible a few of the drawings are Aminah Islams drawings.

Talent must run in that family.

[Chris]

You know what drawing I always loved, though I don't know if Cat drew it. I assume he did, but I never read any recognition that he drew it, was the drawing on the "Oh Very Young" 45 sleeve and sheet music. It's so simple and sweet.

[DJ]

Christine,
If those header paintings are Aminah's then she really is a very good artist, and, as you say, takes after her father.
I think 'Wherefore Art?' and Yusuf did a fabulous job on the booklet, the design work is so tasteful, I would have paid the price of the box set for that alone.

I agree, Christine, that the 'Oh, very young' illustration is great, I know it probably isn't, but it always makes me think of, for some reason, that it could be a picture from a book of old fairy tales, possibly a Japanese story, it has that kind of simple quality to it.

[Chris]

DJ I never looked at the Oh Very Young cartoon as a Japanese fairy tale before. But you are absolutely right in your upsumption, I can see it as partof one. I can also see it on the cover of one of 'Kitaro's' CD's. It matches his type of fantasy type music.

[Lucy13]

Christine, which drawing are you talking about please???

[hummingbird]

My bet is the watercolor drawings (the ones running across the top of the pages) are Aminah's. They seem whimsical and majical..as if from a young person's perspective

The squiggly line drawings (like the Peace Train) are a bit like Yusuf's old style. But somehow I can't picture him drawing a television set...haha. On second thought he does travel alot...maybe he was r-e-a-l-l-y bored one night in the hotel room...hahaha!!

[Vivian]

Are you talking about the drawing on the OH VERY YOUNG sheet music, where the stork is taking the young child up to the heavens! I JUST LOVE IT! And it is just like Cat's WONDERFUL IMAGINATION!

Peace,Vivian

[Chris]

yep, Vivian Thats the drawing!!. It has such an innocent feel to it. I remember falling in love with it the first time I saw it, oh so many years ago.

[Vivian]

I've always wondered about the ORGINAL pieces of Cat's art! I'm not talking about copies or prints that we see on Cat's LP covers or in STAR ART! What about the ORGINAL PIECES of Cat's actual work! Does anyone know where they are!?

Peace,Vivian

[Chris]

Vivian I had heard that Yusuf gave most of his drawings away many years ago. Many of his teaser drawings went to Alun Davies two daughters and Paul Samwell-Smiths son. I have no idea what happen to the tillerman drawing.

Have you ever seen the Tillerman Poster? It is a 22 x 22 poster of just the cartoon drawing. But the colors are much more vibrant than the LP's colors. Underneath the drawing it says, Tea for the Tillerman - Cat Stevens. It's beautiful. If you ever locate one, snatch it up and mat and frame it. There are also MBJ Posters, though I have never seen the Teaser drawing placed into a poster. I think they were promoted by A&M rather than Island as they have the A&M logo on them.

[Vivian]

Oh Christine, I would DIE to get my hands on that BEAUTIFUL WORK of art! Unfortunately, I've never seen it, but I can just imagine it's PURE BEAUTY!

Peace,Vivian

[Lucy13]

Vivian said:

Are you talking about the drawing ..... where the stork is taking the young child up to the heavens!

OOhhh.... THAT one. The stork with the cute little pantaloon legs and no tail. LOL

It's darling. Really!