"Koppelberg Hill" by Rachel E. Johnstone

I like the little boy climbing into the frame! The whole frame itself is very inovative (I myself love to have things coming out or into the frame!)
I love the colours too, but I always thought that the pied piper wore spotted clothes.....after all, that is what "pied" means......
Lovely picture all the same! I like it a lot!

Rachel E. Johnstone replies: "Thanks,Alison, I was happy with the way the frame turned out. I think 'pied' or 'pie-bald' just means patches of at least 2 different colours so it could be spotted, striped, checked or whatever you like. Whatever, thank you for stopping by and commenting. "

The first picture of yours I have ever seen. I saw a description of you as a "painfully shy...[person]..who may or may not be as weird as people think she is". Well, I had to find out! I think this is great, especially the way the children are climbing into the frame. The colors are vivd, and for some reason the Piper stands out to me, maybe just his expression and his hand, which caught my attention. I like it. Interesting history, too...I like to find out stuff like that, but I did not know the Pied Piper was based on an actual historical event...is it really?
You are very talented, and I'm not sure I understand why no one has commented here before. Which reminds me...
::graceful first comment dance::

Rachel E. Johnstone replies: "I don't know if you think I'm wierd but it is true that I am painfully shy! Thank you so much for your lovely comments. If you are interested, the Piper's official website(!) www.thepiedpiper.de is very informative. It is in English as well as German. Anyway, thanks also for your graceful dancing! "

I want to go there to! Let me in pleas!
I think this is a wonderful picture with very nice details.

Rachel E. Johnstone replies: "  All are welcome! You don't even have to wipe your feet! "

just awesome!I love it!Like old school faerie tale book illistrations! hehe one deal though is that the pipe looks about to fall out of his hand.but just...gah!I love it!so very vivid and pretty!

Rachel E. Johnstone replies: "Yay! That is just the look I was going for - old story-book! Dunno about the pipe, though. I guess you can't really see his thumb properly so it looks like it is balancing on his fingertips. Maybe it is?! It was magic! ;D"

Wow, are you a proffesional? (will re-read your biography after commenting...) This is AMAZING! The composition, the colouring...I really love the feeling from this pic. (stares...)

Rachel E. Johnstone replies: "Thank you. I've often thought I'd like to illustrate books, or something.."

Dear all,
I didn't know there was something like this on the web!
The picture is great, and it has my family name on it!
Wow!
I know the story of the pied piper, but in Germany it wasn't related to the Koppelberg (berg meaning hill, by the way)...
Thanks for making my day - and anyone around the world with the same name (similar spelling) is welcome to send me an email - would be great to organize some meetings anywhere in the world! ;-)
Cheers,
Barbara

Rachel E. Johnstone replies: "Wow! A genuine Koppelberg! Welcome. That must be an unusual name. Yeah, Browning's version is just one of many and it probably had nothing to do with the Koppelberg but nobady really knows and never will, I guess. It is still one of my favourite stories. I know most of the poem by heart! It was nice to see you here. Good luck finding other Koppelbergs!"

Wow... Well done!!! I love all of the details on this, and the colouring is very lovely! I love the way the lil' boy goes into the frame, into the magic world! And the piper is very well done, too! And indeed - he does have a scary expression on his face... Great job, really!!!

Rachel E. Johnstone replies: "Is he really scary? I never noticed..hang on, he kidnaps children, of course he's scary. I still like the story! Thank you for the nice comment."

I like and will probably illustratate myself the story of the The Pied Piper of Hamelin. But it will be more difficult for me after having seen how you did : I really like the way you used. It's a very nice picture.

Rachel E. Johnstone replies: "Thank you. I'd love to see your Piper pic when it's done - although it's probably long finished by now because I haven't replied for so long!*shame*"

I think that I wouldn't mind dissappearing into Koppelberg Hill... not if it looks like that... I love his hat!

Rachel E. Johnstone replies: "It looks very inviting inside the hill, I would like to go there too. Thank you for commenting."

Very lovely... I’m kind of a Pied Piper addict, so I found your artwork through a "koppelberg" google search. I truly love it. Do you mind if I save it onto my computer and use it as my desktop? If that’s just too weird, I’ll understand. xD
I do enjoy Browning’s version, but I don’t necessarily look to it for details.

Rachel E. Johnstone replies: "Well, I’m glad you like it so much. Sure, you can try to use it as a desktop, but the pictures here are not all that big so it might be a bit pixel-y. Nice to hear from someone else with a soft spot for the Piper! "