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

[Alexandra Tyng]

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.

[Alexandra Tyng]

Here are some details:

[Chris Saper]

Alex,

It's exrtraordinary. Beautifully done! Congratualtions

[Alexandra Tyng]

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

[Terri Ficenec]

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!

[Alexandra Tyng]

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

[Julie Deane]

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.

[Alexandra Tyng]

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