Gerald McDermott was told by a friend, one Joseph Campbell, that he should spend his time painting and writing. Now, he is an award winning artist and author of numerous books and films for children, three of which have won the coveted Caldecott honor award ANANSI THE SPIDER: A Tale of the Ashanti; ARROW TO THE SUN: A Tale from the Pueblo; and RAVEN: A Trickster Tale from the Pacific Northwest. Joseph Campbell served as the consultant on four of McDermott's early films, and the two began a friendship that extended over many years. Campbell was instrumental in making this gifted artist aware of the psychological depths of mythology and the possibilities of integrating cultural and archetypal symbols into his art. In addition to being the first Fellow of the Joseph Campbell Foundation, McDermott is also a co-leader at the annual Mythological Toolbox at Esalen Institute in Big Sur, California.

Gerald McDermott on the Web

Return to Guests