tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-18907156.post1037657043516764507..comments2024-03-29T03:40:49.981-04:00Comments on Today's Inspiration: Thornton Utz: "Always doing the unexpected"leifpenghttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07232334860061949895noreply@blogger.comBlogger4125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-18907156.post-44204562156659930322009-12-04T02:57:19.970-05:002009-12-04T02:57:19.970-05:00I have a couple of Utz original paintings of Jack ...I have a couple of Utz original paintings of Jack and the bean Stalk, and the Sandman I would like to Know if anyone would know the value of Such peices.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-18907156.post-90111240517745496082009-03-19T08:18:00.000-04:002009-03-19T08:18:00.000-04:00That's a very optimistic thought, Bandito, I would...That's a very optimistic thought, Bandito, I would hope you are right, although based on what I've seen in all the hundreds of magazines in my collection (and what you've seen, by extension, via this blog) I think its more likely that ADs leaned toward the 'sure thing' than the wild card.<BR/><BR/>I suspect there were a few trusted illustrators, like the ones we've looked at over the last two weeks, and a few adventurous ADs, like Robert C. Atherton of <I>Cosmopolitan</I>, who worked well together. But notice that Thornton Utz was professional enough to 'reign it in' for the <I>Saturday Evening Post,</I> and then let his hair down for <I>Cosmo</I>? Utz inately understood his experimental work wasn't going to fly with <I>Post</I> AD Ken Stuart. That family magazine wanted 'safe' artwork its small-town American audience could relate to, and Utz always deleivered the goods. :^)leifpenghttps://www.blogger.com/profile/07232334860061949895noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-18907156.post-43070340762247491512009-03-19T03:38:00.000-04:002009-03-19T03:38:00.000-04:00It's hard to believe how different Utz's story ill...It's hard to believe how different Utz's story illos were compared to his Saturday Evening Post cover illos. I hate to throw cold water on any of his Post covers, but I never really liked them. In my view, Rockwell stole the show when it came to 50's Post cover illustrations. But, I have to admit Utz was a good innovative story illustrator, and these examples prove it. No doubt he deserves the recognition, but personally, I wouldn't put him in the same league as Parker or Briggs. Perhaps, one level below. Hope I haven't offended Utz lovers. ;-)<BR/><BR/>Tom WatsonTomhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/13237565169344311948noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-18907156.post-45359257273551574362009-03-18T11:30:00.000-04:002009-03-18T11:30:00.000-04:00Very nice sense of color in these, particularly in...Very nice sense of color in these, particularly in the first picture. I think Art Directors were willing to trust artists like Utz because whatever the finish the underlying design and draughtsmanship were always solid.And for prestige magazines it always helps to use those artists with that 'little something extra'.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.com