Beth and Joe Krush, oil on linen, 36" x 48"
 

If you grew up in the 50s, 60s and maybe even the 70s, and you liked to read, you might recognize the names of the people in this portrait. The Krushes are a husband and wife illustrating team who drew the detailed, lively and appealing line drawings for books such as The Borrowers series by Mary Norton, Gone Away Lake and Return to Gone Away by Elizabeth Enright, The Shoe Bird by Eudora Welty, and All-of-a-Kind Family Downtown by Sydney Taylor, as well as books by Eleanor Cameron, Beverly Cleary, and Florence Hightower, and many others.

I was a huge fan of their illustrations, and I always wanted to meet them. But it wasn't until a few years ago that I became friends with them. I'm glad I finally persuaded them to let me paint their portrait because Beth died last week at the age of 90.

Here are some details:

Alex,

It's exrtraordinary. Beautifully done! Congratualtions

Thank you, thank you, Chris! I feel like I should be posting some of their illustrations. I'll find a few.

Beautiful Alex! You've captured a very genuine feel and sense of interaction with them. I especially like their gentle and warm expressions and the way you've handled the books on the table and surrounded them with (I presume...) their life's work. Wonderful work!

Thanks so much, Terri!!

Here are a few examples of their illustrations.

1 & 2 from Gone Away Lake by Elizabeth Enright
3 from A Spell is Cast by Eleanor Cameron

I recognized their illustrations immediately, Alex. I have fond memories of "The Borrowers" which was one series of books they did.

Nice job on the portrait. I especially like the woman's expression.

Julie, I'm so glad I found another fan of the Krushes' illustrations! Thank you for your nice comments.

Lord, this is good....I continue to be inspired that a painterly and fluid application like this can become so solid from the normal viewing distance. Really something to aspire to.

The character in each one of them is so palpable, which is your strongest card always.

I was a big fan of the Borrowers, too, and that 50's pen and ink graphic style.

To echo what Tom has said - I think of you as a painter's painter. There is such an honesty in your approach, it is very refreshing. Really fine work!

David

Alex, thank you for posting the painting, particularly the close-up details. I learn so much from your work, always alive and expressive!

Alex,
A painter's painter, you are, you never stop inspiring!

I think you indicate those wonderful people's spirit with all the bright colors. Still full of curiousity, even after a long life chasing butterflie's.

How dare you use that lemon yellow for background, I'm envious, lemon yellow !

Tom, David, Bob and Allan, you guys are gems--thank you!

Let me just answer last things first, Allan: I like a good dare! The wall was actually yellow, and even though I didn't have to paint it yellow, it just seemed right. It fit with their personalities and the mood of the books they illustrated.

Thanks so much for your comments about the painting being expressive and alive, and capturing their character and spirit. I really appreciate knowing you feel this way, because that is exactly how I feel when I am painting someone and really enjoying the process. The light seemed so luminous and happy, I could feel the softness of Beth's sweater, and the energy in Joe's hands and face. Can anyone guess what color Beth's hair used to be? It was interesting to me to paint two people with grey/white hair and see the contrast between the colors of each person's hair.

Guessing - Was she red and he was black?

You are right about the red hair! His was light brown. That's a pretty good guess, Allan. I'm impressed.

Dear Alex,

I haven't visited here for some time - life is getting busier and busier (yet things don't really seem to get done!) - and then i came across this beautiful painting of yours. The colours are so rich, strong and quite unexpected and yet they remain secondary to the faces with their delicate skin, and their really perfect placement in the composition. Wonderful space you've created around the figures too. This should be purchased by a museum, honouring the sitters and the artist.

Thomasin, I'm so glad you like this one, especially since the process of putting on the paint was a total experience this time. (We have talked about that before.) Everything was unified and I could feel the quality of the light as I was painting everything, especially the skin.

I painted this as part of my project "Portraits For the Arts." so I'm hoping somehow it can be used to raise money for an illustration scholarship at an art school here or something that honors the Krushes. The Brandywine Museum collects the work of illustrators. . .hmm. . .interesting idea! Thanks, Thomasin!

What a lovely painting. I like how you capture a moment in time, rather than people in stiff poses. It's beautiful!

Thank you so much, Enzie!

Beautiful! you are amazing.

I'm so glad I stopped by the portrait forum. You may think I'm exaggerating but truly, Alexandra, this portrait is now one of my all-time favorites. It says so much about this couple and in such a warm way. It's perfection!

Christy, it's good to "see" you here on the forum. How is your work going? Thank you so much for your generous compliments on this portrait. It's one of my favorites, too, partly because I love the subjects!

Mary, sorry I did not notice your comment earlier. Thank you so much!

It shows that you love them, maybe that's the secret. My work is going alright, thank you for asking.