Rossman’s doctor wrapped his neck with a purple bandage because it was a symbol of courage.When Julie Guerry asked Carylon Killebrew to paint a portrait of the family’s new dog, neither had any idea how this simple encounter would evolve into a book with 18 illustrations.
“The Rossman: A Superhero at Heart” tells the story of how a neglected dog ran away from his home, was struck by a car and lost one of his legs. He was nurtured back to health by Tai, a kindly vet, and visited at Riverview Animal Hospital for three months by Guerry and her three daughters, who brought Rossman clean blankets and homemade poundcake. When he was well enough to leave the hospital, the Guerrys adopted him as a member of the family.
Throughout Killebrew’s artistic career, she has painted many subjects but especially enjoys animals. She said she agrees with author Will D. Campbell’s quote: “An animal’s eyes have the power to speak a great language.”
“I believe this with my whole heart,” said Killebrew. “It has been a delight to hear that audible awe that comes from the heart and through the lips when folks look into Rossman’s eyes.”
After Killebrew completed the initial portrait of Rossman, Guerry was so pleased that she asked the artist to illustrate a book she wanted to write, chronicling the story of Rossman. Killebrew agreed and began taking photographs of the dog. She worked with acrylic paint on Rives BFK paper.
“I used acrylic because I was slightly familiar with it and have no experience with watercolor,” she sad. “Acrylic pushed me to work more quickly than I already do.”
The 18 illustrations begin with Rossman’s escape from his initial home underneath a trailer through his stay at the hospital to his new life at the Guerry home and trips to Sea Island beach. For Killebrew, the photographs, research and painting took less than six months to complete.
“I only had to do one illustration a second time,” she said.
This concerned a page that suggests that Rossman trains with three other dogs and the exterminator, the leaf blower and the mail carrier.
“My first attempt had the mail carrier down on one knee patting the dog,” said Killebrew. “What I didn’t know was that Rossman hates the leaf blower, the exterminator and the mail carrier, so I had to rethink that page.”
Although this is the first book that Killebrew has illustrated, she has an inkling that it won’t be her last.
“I understand Rossman has more adventures to come,” she said. “Life is exciting.”
E-mail Ann Nichols at annsnichols@aol.com