Henry Bacon (b. Nov 28, 1866 – d. Feb 16, 1924)
An American architect whose Beaux-Arts style can be seen in numerous public structures. Bacon often worked on designing monuments and structures which housed public sculptures. Perhaps Bacon’s most famous design is that of the Lincoln Memorial in Washington DC, which he collaborated on with sculptor Daniel Chester French.
Garin Baker (b. 1961)
Professional artist who specializes in figurative art and plein air painting. He attended Pratt Institute where he received his BFA, and furthered his studies by attending The Art Students League in New York City — the latter being where he teaches life painting and drawing as an instructor. His work depicts not only large New York cityscapes with bustling people, but rural landscapes as well.
Istvan Banyai (b. Feb 27, 1949)
Hungarian illustrator, animator, and designer whose contributed to numerous magazines and newspapers including The New Yorker, Boston Globe, The Wall Street Journal, and The Washington Post. He describes his work as a combination of Viennese Retro, American pop, and European absurdity all laid on a “cartoon-style color palette.” Banyai’s move to the states allowed him to adapt his artistic style and provided him with whole new experiences in both Los Angeles and New York City.
Tony Bennett (b. Aug 3, 1926)
Tony Bennet is a renowned singer who has performed for eleven US presidents, and even walked with Dr. King in his march from Selma to Montgomery. A performer and WWII veteran, Tony Bennett also works as a painter. Working under his birth name, Benedetto, he has completed several works of art that can be found in numerous institutions like The Smithsonian American Art Museum and the National Portrait Gallery in Washington DC.
Clifford Berryman (b. Apr 2, 1869 – d. Dec 11, 1949)
Cartoonist who worked for The Washington Post (1891-1907) and The Washington Star (1907-1949) newspapers. Berryman illustrated thousands of cartoons in which he commented on Washington politics, presidential elections, both World Wars, and congressional issues. Berryman was a prominent figure in D.C. during the first half of the twentieth century.
R O Blechman (b. Oct 1, 1930)
Children’s book author, animator, illustrator, graphic novelist, and editorial cartoonist. Blechman has received numerous accolades for his work. In 1984 he received an Emmy for his directing of “The Soldier’s Tale,” and in 2012 he was inducted into the Society of Illustrators’ Hall of Fame. His illustrations have appeared in publications like The New York Times, The New Yorker, and The Huffington Post.
Daniel Burnham (b. Sep 4, 1846 – d. Jun 1, 1912)
Urban planner and architect who founded one of the largest and most successful firms in the country. Many of Burnham’s projects were based on the classical style found in Rome and Greece. He was a prominent advocate for the Beaux-Arts, and he was instrumental in the development of the “skyscraper.” Some of his projects and designs include the Flatiron Building in New York City, city planning for the capital of the Philippines, and Union Station in Washington DC.
Donald Cannavaro (b. 1918 – d. April 22, 2015)
Prior to becoming an artist, Cannavaro served in the US Army Air Corps during WWII. Later, he became an independent artist and Art Director for the Department of the Air Force at the Pentagon. After he retired, Cannavaro opened up his own Fine Arts collection and depicted many of the nation’s greatest buildings, monuments, and memorials — many of which can be found in private and government offices.
Ernie Chan (b. July 27, 1940 – d. May 16, 2012)
A comic book artist for a number of years, Chan worked as a penciler, inker, and cover artist. He’s particularly recognized for his work on the Marvel version of Conan the Barbarian, which he worked on with John Buscema. During the 70s, from about 1975 to 1977, Chan acted as the primary cover artist for DC Comics.
Sam Calder (b. Apr 2, 1916 – d. Jun 20, 1991)
Calder was a talented cartoonist and attended the Chouinard Art School in Los Angeles, California. He also worked as a photographer, photographing surgical procedures for doctors, and forming a basis for many of Norman Rockwell’s paintings in the post-World War II era. He was skilled in making pottery, and he was a World War II veteran where he served in the Special Forces of the Air Force.
Jeff Danziger (b. 1943)
Having published eleven books and one novel, Danziger is a political cartoonist whose favorite themes include electoral fraud, international relations, and political figures. His cartoons are merciless, and succeed in imposing a harsh editorial style. He is a Vietnam veteran, in which he served as a US soldier, and he received the Thomas Nast Prize in 2006.
John Darkow
Watercolorist and professional cartoonist for over twenty years. He has published more than seven thousand political cartoons, with his career dating back to the ‘80s. His cartoons have appeared in numerous publications such as TIME, Newsweek, and The New York Times. He currently works as a cartoonist for the Columbia Missourian.
Frank D’Armata (b. Nov 19, 1971)
Comic book artist who regularly works for Marvel Comics. He has been credited as a colorist and cover artist. D’Armata has created over 400 covers, and he has colored over 500 works. The series he has worked on include Iron Man, Dark Ages, and Spider-Woman.
Matt Davies (b. 1966)
British-American cartoonist and children’s book author and illustrator. Davies was the President of the Association of American Editorial Cartoonists from 2004 to 2005, and his work has appeared in magazines and newspapers like The New York Times, The Washington Post, The Los Angeles Times, TIME, and MAD Magazine. He is a freelance artist and his work is syndicated nationally by the Universal Press (Uclick).
Sean Delonas
Accomplished political cartoonist, author, painter, and illustrator. He is most recognized for his work for the New York Post’s Page Six, which he worked on from 1990 to 2013. His work has appeared in various newspapers, magazines, and books. He is an award-winning painter, and his works are in the permanent collection of a number of big institutions like the National Museum of American History, the Library of Congress, and the Billy Ireland Cartoon Library and Museum.
Stevan Dohanos (b. May 18, 1907 – d. Jul 2, 1994)
American artist and illustrator known for depicting the realism and normalcy of American life. Dohanos contributed work to numerous magazines such as Esquire, McCall’s, and Collier’s prior to finding success with The Saturday Evening Post. His work with The Post resulted in him producing 123 covers for the magazine. During WWII, Dohanos also worked on recruitment posters and wall murals for the federal government.
Alan Dunn (b. Aug 11, 1900 – d. 1974)
Working with the New Yorker for a career spanning 47 years, Dunn was one of the magazine’s most prolific cartoonists. During his 47 years of working with the magazine, he created nine covers and nearly 2000 cartoons. With a passion for architecture, starting in 1936, Dunn also contributed his work to the Architectural Record. His work has been displayed in both national and international exhibitions, and can be found in the permanent collections of the Library of Congress and other various institutions.
Shawn Fields (b. 1973)
Artist and illustrator whose interest in drawing began early. He is a representational artist telling stories of childhood. His paintings show his practiced use of colors, composition and anatomy of the figures and spaces. He studied drawing and painting at the School of Visual Arts where he received his BFA in illustration, and at the New York Academy of Art where he received his MFA in painting.
David Fitzsimmons (b. Aug 9, 1955)
Editorial cartoonist for The Arizona Star, where he also writes a weekly humor column and blog. He is an award-winning cartoonist and his cartoons have been syndicated to over seven hundred sites worldwide. He also works as a public speaker, participating in lectures, charity events, and fundraisers.
Daniel Chester French (b. Apr 20, 1850 – d. Oct 7, 1931)
American sculptor often recognized for his sculpture of Abraham Lincoln at the Lincoln Memorial in Washington DC. French created around 92 different public sculptures during his career, and becoming a member of various organizations. Aside from his work for the Lincoln Memorial, French’s other notable works include Statue of the Republic for the World’s Columbian Exposition of 1893 in Chicago, Minute Man (Concord, Massachusetts), and the depiction of Benjamin Franklin on the obverse of the Pulitzer Prize medal.
Abram Garfield (b. Nov 21, 1872 – d. Oct 16, 1958)
Architect and youngest son of James A. Garfield — 20th President of the United States. Earning a B.A. from Williams College and a B.S. from MIT, Garfield started and joined various firms up until his death. While working with Frank Meade of Garfield & Meade, he became more associated with classic revival in architecture. Specializing in residential architecture, one of Garfield’s recognized works is the Faxon-Thomas Mansion, which now makes up the original section of the Hunter Museum of American Art in Tennessee.
Frank Gasparro (b. Aug 26, 1909 – d. Sep 29, 2001)
Chief engraver of the United States Mint, which he held from 1965 to 1981. Gasparro’s engravings and designs include the reverse side of the Lincoln Memorial Cent and the Kennedy Half Dollar, and both sides of the Eisenhower Dollar. After his retirement from the mint, Gasparro continued to design medals for private and public groups.
Mitch Gerads (b. Sep 18, 1981)
Comic book illustrator who has brought humanity and realism to those who are superhuman and unreal within comic books. He is best recognized for his work at DC Comics with writer Tom King. His notable works include Mister Miracle, The Sheriff of Babylon, and Batman. Gerads has been credited as a penciler, inker, cover artist, and colorist. Other works credited towards him include The Punisher, The Activity, and Doctor Who.
Chad Gowey (b.1987)
Illustrator and designer who graduated with a Bachelor in Fine Arts from the Rhode Island School of Design. Gowey has produced designs and illustrations for numerous publications and brands. He is adept in both traditional and digital media, and currently works as a freelance illustrator, specializing in history, portraiture, covers, and editorial.
James Gurney (b. Jun 14, 1958)
Author and illustrator best known for his book Dinotopia: A Land Apart from Time, published in 1992. He initially taught himself how to draw by reading books on illustrators Howard Pyle and Norman Rockwell. He occasionally teaches workshops, and he lectures at art schools, movie studios, and game companies. His artwork has been exhibited at various institutions including The Norman Rockwell Museum, The Delaware Art Museum, and The Smithsonian Institution.
David Horsey (b. Sep 13, 1951)
A two-time Pulitzer Prize winning editorial cartoonist who worked for both the Los Angeles Times and The Seattle Times. He’s well-known for his satire and allusions to contemporary culture. After graduating from college, he entered journalism as a political reporter. His work has allowed him to attend numerous events and conventions. His cartoons are currently syndicated by the Tribune Content Agency.
John C. Johansen (b. Nov 25, 1876 – d. Jun 23, 1964)
A Danish-American artist who began his career as a landscape painter, but later transitioned to portraiture. Johansen attended the Académie Julian and the Art Institute of Chicago — the latter he ended up teaching at from 1901-1911. After WWI, Johansen was commissioned by the U.S. government to document the signing of the Treaty of Versailles. The painting is now part of the collection of the National Portrait Gallery in Washington DC.
Steve Lieber (b. May 19, 1967)
Comic book illustrator who has been published by numerous companies such as Marvel, DC, Image Comics, Penguin, and Scholastic. As a commercial artist, some of his clients have included Microsoft, Nike, UPS, and Dove. Lieber is also a founding member of Helioscope (formerly Periscope Studio), which is made up of illustrators, writers, designers, etc.
Mike Luckovich (b. Jan 28, 1960)
Editorial cartoonist who has worked for the Atlanta Journal-Constitution since 1989. He is a two time Pulitzer Prize winner, receiving the first in 1995 and the second in 2006. His cartoons are syndicated by Creators Syndicate and have appeared in publications including New York Post, The Washington Post, Chicago Tribune, and Seattle Times.
Bill Mauldin (b. Oct 29, 1921 – d. Jan 22, 2003)
Popular and influential editorial cartoonist during the 20th century. Mauldin enlisted in the army during WWII and worked on cartoons depicting the life of a combat soldier. After the war, Mauldin became well-known for his editorial cartoons which commented on both political and social issues. Some of his publications also appeared in magazines including Life and Sports Illustrated.
Mark McKenna
Mark McKenna has been a comic book artist for 32 years, working for publishers such as Marvel, DC, and Dark Horse. He’s credited for almost 600 comics, and he’s worked on properties like Iron Man, Doom Patrol, and The Justice League. He’s also the creator of the children’s book series Banana Tails and Friends, which he worked on when his second child was a newborn.
Todd Nauck (b. Apr 2, 1971)
Nauck is a comic book artist who regularly works for Marvel, and DC Comics. He has been credited as a penciler, colorist, writer, inker, and cover artist. His most notable works include Friendly Neighborhood Spider-Man (Marvel), Young Justice (DC Comics), and WildGuard (Image Comics). Nauck has also worked with Image Comics, and in 2018 he joined Dark Horse comics to draw the mini-series Mystery Science Theater 3000: The Comic.
Patrick Oliphant (b. Jul 24, 1935)
Australian-American cartoonist who became the standard which other cartoonists measured themselves by. Oliphant commented on various subjects like American and global politics, and created caricatures of American presidents and other powerful leaders. He worked for various newspapers before eventually becoming independent. He later retired in 2015.
Joseph Pennell (b. Jul 4, 1857 – d. Apr 23, 1926)
American artist and author considered to be the dean of American printmaking. Pennell’s work with magazines like Century, Harper’s, and McClure’s would send him across Europe to produce etchings, drawings, and lithographs. Throughout Pennell’s career, he was able to produce more than 900 etchings and mezzotints, more than 600 lithographs, and approximately 100 book illustrations.
John R. Pope (b. Apr 24, 1874 – d. Aug 27, 1937)
American architect who resided in New York and opened his own practice. His thirty-four year career included designing numerous domestic and monumental structures. Many of Pope’s designs alternated between different styles including Gothic, 18th century French, and classical. Pope’s most well-known architectural contributions include the Jefferson Memorial, National Gallery of Art, and the National Archives building in Washington DC.
Bob Staake (b. Sep 26, 1957)
American illustrator, cartoonist, and children’s book author and designer. Staake is one of the nation’s most prolific illustrators, and he has produced several works for magazines and companies including TIME, The New Yorker, American Express, Nickelodeon, and Vanity Fair. Staake’s November 17, 2008 cover “Reflection” is one of his most memorable covers, commemorating Obama’s election as the first African-American president.
Tom Stiglich
Stiglich is an editorial cartoonist, illustrator, and graphic artist who has been drawing since he was a child. He attended the Art Institute of Philadelphia where he graduated in 1988. His work has appeared in publications like The New York Times, The Philadelphia Inquirer, and The Los Angeles Times. He is also a member of the National Cartoonists Society and the Association of American Editorial Cartoonists.
Leonard Volk (b. Nov 7, 1828 – d. Aug 19, 1895)
American sculptor who created one of only two life masks of Abraham Lincoln – the other was created by Clark Mills in 1865. Volk’s first foray into sculpture began with marble cutting while working with his father. He later settled in Chicago and helped establish the Chicago Academy of Design (1867). His life masks of Lincoln – taken in 1860 – provided Volk the opportunity to work on his projects eliminating the need for several sittings.
Harris & Ewing
Photography service founded in 1905 by George W. Harris and his wife Martha Ewing. Harris & Ewing provided photos to news outlets across the US, and in the late 1930s it became the largest photography studio in America. Harris acted as the principal photographer until his retirement in 1955, and his wife worked and arranged the financial backing.
Sebastian Miniatures
A series of small chalkware sculptures or figurines that were first produced in 1938 by Prescott W. Baston Sr. The figurines and sculptures were handled by Baston Sr. up until his passing, and then handled by his son, Prescott W. Baston Jr. The miniatures depict historical figures as well as classical literary characters and scenes. Baston Sr. also worked on pieces for commercial use such as store promotions for products.
Underwood & Underwood
Stereograph and photography producer and distributor. Established by Elmer and Ben Underwood in Ottawa, Kansas in 1882, the company originally set out on distributing stereographs from the East to the West through salesmen. In 1920 the company sold their stock and rights to the Keystone View Company and wound up closing in the 40s.
Born in New York City in 1894, Norman Rockwell always wanted to be an artist. At age 14, Rockwell enrolled in art classes at The New York School of Art (formerly The Chase School of Art). Two years later, in 1910, he left high school to study art at The National Academy of Design. He soon transferred to The Art Students League, where he studied with Thomas Fogarty and George Bridgman. Fogarty’s instruction in illustration prepared Rockwell for his first commercial commissions. From Bridgman, Rockwell learned the technical skills on which he relied throughout his long career. Learn more…
Daniel Chester French attained prominence as the leading American monumental sculptor of the early twentieth century. Born in Exeter, New Hampshire, he spent his youth in Cambridge and Amherst, Massachusetts, before moving with his family to Concord in 1867. That fall he entered the Massachusetts Institute of Technology but withdrew after two semesters. French began his first serious study of sculpture during the winter of 1868–69, receiving modeling supplies and lessons from Abigail May Alcott. His brief formal art training consisted of a month-long apprenticeship with John Quincy Adams Ward in 1870, supplemented by evening drawing classes at the National Academy of Design.
