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Tuesday 31 July 2012

Wonderful Illustrators. Gyo Fujikawa








Gyo Fujikawa was born on November 3rd 1908, in Berkeley, California, America, to Japanese parents.

She was an American illustrator and children's book author.

 

(Sketch taken from www.librarything.com)




Gyo attended the Chouinard Art Institute.
She worked for Walt Disney Company, in California, as a promotional artist.

After moving to New York in 1941, her first published children's book appeared in 1957. This was Robert Louis Stevenson's, 'A Child's Garden of Verses' which she illustrated for Grosset & Dunlap.







The first book written and illustrated by Gyo Fujikawa was, 'Babies' in 1963





Over the years, she was published in more than 50 books for children.
Translated into 17 languages.
Published in 22 countries.

Her most popular books, 'Babies' and 'Baby Animals' sold over 1.7 million copies in US.



Gyo also undertook other work, such as designing 6 stamps for US Post Office.



(Picture taken from uk.ask.com)





She designed for Beech-Nut baby food

(Pictures taken from www.vintageads.livejournal.com)








and Eskimo Pie.


(Pictures taken from www.onceuponasketch.com)









Although she became engaged at age 19, she never married.

Gyo Fujikawa died, in New York, November 26th 1998


Her illustrations make wonderful framed art. As she is one of my personal favourites, I usually have one or two, at least, ready to frame illustrations of her's for sale in my shop...
























(Information taken from Wikipedia)





















5 comments:

  1. As usual... a beutifully written & informative blog. Although I've seen this art work before, I had no idea of who did it but that's all changed now...!! I love these pieces - the catch the essence of a chhildhood from years ago.....
    jo. x

    ReplyDelete
  2. Hi Jo,
    So glad you liked it. Gyo Fujikawa is one of my absolute favourites. I have sold lots of ready to frame illustrations by her, but as you said, I think often people don't know who she is!Do you have a favourite vintage illustrator?
    Vicki x

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  3. hello! came from your FB page, Off to have a look at your Etsy shop now! :)

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Hi Claire,
      Thanks for your message. It's so nice to hear that you have checked out my Facebook, Blog and Etsy shop. I hope you liked them all. Please pop back and say hi again some time. Vicki x

      Delete
  4. I see your Etsy shop is down. Do you have any of her illustrations that you are selling to frame. I would love to hang one in my home. I adore her work.

    ReplyDelete