Don Freeman

Illustrator, painter, lithographer. Born in San Diego, CA on Aug. 11, 1908. Freeman studied at the San Diego School of Fine Arts and continued in 1928 at the ASL in NYC under John Sloan and Harry Wickey. Remaining in NYC, his drawings of the theater were published in the Herald Tribune, New York Times, and Theater Magazine. Most of his career was spent in NYC where he captured the spirit and essence of everyday life during the 1930s and 1940s. He illustrated Human Comedy (Saroyan), White Deer (Thurber) and Once Around the Sun (Atkinson). He was the author of Come One, Come All and in 1951 he began illustrating a total of 33 children's books which he co-authored with his wife, Lydia. During his last 20 years he maintained a home in Santa Barbara, CA. He died on Feb. 1, 1978 while in NYC to meet his editor at Viking Press. Three years before his demise Mayor Lindsey presented him with the keys to the city and dubbed him the "Daumier of New York City." Exh: Philadelphia Print Club, 1936 (prize); AIC; PAFA; CGA. In: Whitney Museum.

Source:

Edan Hughes, "Artists in California, 1786-1940"

lnvw; WWAA 1938-1962; NY Times, 2-3-1978 (obit); Journal of the Print World, Summer 1998.

Illustrator, painter, lithographer. Born in San Diego, CA on Aug. 11, 1908. Freeman studied at the San Diego School of Fine Arts and continued in 1928 at the ASL in NYC under John Sloan and Harry Wickey. Remaining in NYC, his drawings of the theater were published in the Herald Tribune, New York Times, and Theater Magazine. Most of his career was spent in NYC where he captured the spirit and essence of everyday life during the 1930s and 1940s. He illustrated Human Comedy (Saroyan), White Deer (Thurber() and Once Around the Sun (Atkinson). He was the author of Come One, Come All and in 1951 he began illustrating a total of 33 children's books which he co-authored with his wife, Lydia. During his last 20 years he maintained a home in Santa Barbara, CA. He died on Feb. 1, 1978 while in NYC to meet his editor at Viking Press. Three years before his demise Mayor Lindsey presented him with the keys to the city and dubbed him the "Daumier of New York City." Exh: Philadelphia Print Club, 1936 (prize); AIC; PAFA; CGA. In: Whitney Museum.

Source:

Edan Hughes, "Artists in California, 1786-1940"

lnvw; WWAA 1938-1962; NY Times, 2-3-1978 (obit); Journal of the Print World, Summer 1998.

;Don Freeman (August 11, 1908 – February 1978) was a painter, printmaker, cartoonist, children's book author, and illustrator. He was born as an orphan in San Diego, California, attended high school in Missouri, and later moved to New York City where he studied etching at the Art Students League with John Sloan and Harry Wickey. Frequent subjects included Broadway theatre, politics, and the circus. Don was known for carrying a sketchbook with him wherever he went. His images captured the vibrancy and humanity of New York City in the faces of the people he observed on the streets, in the theaters, and in the subways. They often included images of showgirls, Bowery boys, drunks, apple sellers, window washers and numerous citizens of the city that were down on their luck. Don was also a jazz musician and the brother of hotel entrepreneur Warren Freeman.

As Freeman's career progressed, he lightened his palette and depicted more upbeat subjects. In 1951, he began illustrating children's books. His wife, Lydia, who was also an accomplished artist, authored the books Freeman illustrated. The Freemans eventually moved to Santa Barbara, California where they spent the remainder of their lives.[1]

Don Freeman was first introduced to children's literature when William Saroyan asked him to illustrate several books. However, his greatest influence came from the artist Honoré Daumier. Freeman studied many of Daumier’s works as well as possessed a large collection of books on the artist.

Throughout Don Freeman’s career he was the author and illustrator of over 20 children’s books. He is best known for his publication of Corduroy. Although he came up with many of his ideas on his own, his wife contributed greatly to his success. Lydia Freeman, Don’s wife, co-authored two books with Don including Chuggy and the Blue Caboose and Pet of the Met. She was very influential in Don’s work, as he used her to gain ideas for his pieces. He would read his work aloud to her as well as any children around in order to gain feedback on a particular piece. She too became a well known artist in her later life.

“Simplicity is the essence of children’s book stories, not simple mindedness.” Don Freeman once stated when speaking to an audience who was interested in writing, illustrating and publishing children’s books.

Freeman also drew cartoons for magazines and newspapers, including the Herald Tribune, New York Times, Christian Science Monitor, and Theater Magazine.