Art Seiden (1923-2004)

Here's another wonderful illustrator from the mid-20th century. Brooklyn born, Seiden was best known for the pictures he created for children's books, particularly Little Golden Books.

Berlitz - French Zoo Animals for Children written by Robert Strumpen-Darrie & Charles and Valerie Berlitz, illustrated by Art Seiden (1963). via — Berlitz - French Zoo Animals for Children written by Robert Strumpen-Darrie & Charles and Valerie Berlitz, illustrated by Art Seiden (1963). via

Wonder Books Illustrations by Art Seiden 1952 this printing 1974 via — Wonder Books Illustrations by Art Seiden 1952 this printing 1974 via

The Animal's Playground written by Virginia Stone Marshall, illustrated by Art Seiden (1964). via — The Animal's Playground written by Virginia Stone Marshall, illustrated by Art Seiden (1964). via

Space, Time and Rockets by Rehta Randolph, edited by Catherine Barry (Assistant Curator, Hayden Planetarium). Cover art by Art Seiden. Inside art by Jacque Stain 1952 via — Space, Time and Rockets by Rehta Randolph, edited by Catherine Barry (Assistant Curator, Hayden Planetarium). Cover art by Art Seiden. Inside art by Jacque Stain 1952 via

Illustrated by Art Seiden Written by Gene Darby Copyright 1963 via — Illustrated by Art Seiden Written by Gene Darby Copyright 1963 via

This week on my drawing board

White foxes on ice, that's nice! A sketchbook page I began earlier but just finished.

I seem to have overlooked the coming of the new year, as evidenced by the date stamp.

Aaron Birnbaum, memory painter

He was a dress manufacturer who took up painting at the age of 70 and became a beloved folk artist. His daughter brought him paints and art supplies to help ease the loneliness after the death of his wife. A year before his death at the age of 103 in 1998, Birnbaum went to the opening of a retrospective of his work at the Aldrich Museum of Contemporary Art in Ridgefield, Conn. "When they arrived for the opening, Mr. Schuss recalled, Mr. Birnbaum seemed humbled, saying, 'If I would have known my paintings were going to a museum, I would have worked a little longer on them.'" — 1998 NYT obituary.