On this day, August 28, 1849, illustrator Rufus Fairchild Zogbaum was born in Charleston, South Carolina. He studied at the Art Students League in New York and with Léon Bonnat in Paris at the Académie Julian. Zogbaum was a staff artist for Harper’s Weekly at a time when they mostly hired freelance illustrators. In addition to creating
On this day, August 27, 1922, science fiction and fantasy illustrator Frank Kelly Freas was born Hornell, New York. Freas studied at The Art Institute of Pittsburgh. He began working in advertising and then in 1950 began creating covers for Weird Tales. Freas worked for Mad magazine and did covers for science fiction and fantasy stories.
On this day, August 26, 1996, cartoon animator and illustrator Clair Weeks died in Los Alamitos, California. After studies at Chouinard, Weeks went to work for Disney in their animation department. He worked on Snow White, Bambi, Cinderella, Peter Pan (primarily animated Tinkerbell), and Sleeping Beauty. Weeks served in WWII.
On this day, August 25, 1947, comic book artist and writer Michael Kaluta was born in Guatemala. After studies at the Richmond Professional Institute, Kaluta’s career began working as a penciller and inker for DC. He is best known for his 1970s adaptation of The Shadow with Dennis O’Neil.
On this day, August 24, 1934, illustrator Oliver Kemp died in Trenton, New Jersey. After his studies with Howard Pyle in Wilmington, Kemp developed a career illustrating in many of the mainstream magazines. He also studied with William Merritt Chase and in Paris. Kemp served during WWI and after his service taught and was the director
On this day, August 23, 1924, Lloyd P. Birmingham was born in Buffalo, New York. In the late 50s and 60s Birmingham created illustrations for science fiction magazines and some book covers. Later he worked mostly producing science how-to illustrations.
Often there is a permeable line between illustration and art. Illustration is created for use in a story, advertisement, or as a cover image and is therefore intended to be seen in reproduction; art is sometimes made without a specific purpose and while it might be reproduced, it is intended to be seen and experienced
On this day, August 22, 1880, cartoonist George Herriman was born in New Orleans, Louisiana. By the age of 17, Herriman was working as an illustrator and engraver for the Los Angeles Herald-Examiner. In 1913 Herriman's best known strip Krazy Kat was created.
On this day, August 21, 1905, movie animator and cartoonist Friz Freleng was born in Kansas City, Missouri. From his early work in Kansas City, Freleng went to California to work for the Disney Studio. His concept for a cartoon sold to Leon Schlesinger and became Looney Tunes.
On this day, August 20, 1971, children’s book illustrator Hetty Burlingame Beatty died in Massachusetts. She trained as a sculptor at the Boston Museum School and at the University of Maryland. Beatty also wrote and illustrated children’s books.