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