Your Hosts Diana and Victor

Zena Berstein

Once again my childhood has decided to rear it’s ugly head. According to IGN, a new adaptation of the children’s novel Mrs. Frisby and the Rats of NIMH is about to hit the big screen. The story was originally written by Robert C. O’Brien and illustrated by Zena Bernstein back in 1971. A earlier film version was produced for MGM in 1982 as an animated feature entitled The Secret of NIMH.

Zena Bernstein uses a combination of watercolour and acrylics in her work. She carefully places several layers of dots of pure colour to suggest subtle tones and shades. This is a painstaking and meticulous process that she refers to as a labour of love. Zena is also a successful illustrator of adult and children's books. Examples of her work can be found in Robert C. O'Brien's Mrs. Frisby and the Rats of Nimh, ISBN-13: 9780689710681. This book won the Newbury Medal in 1972, considered the most prestigious award for children's literature in the United States. Zena Bernstein received her BA from Syracuse University and her work has been shown in the US and Canada.

Zena lives in the 1000 Islands region and an appointment to see Zena and her studio art can be arranged by Diana Earle.