tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-18907156.post2147579196464286639..comments2024-03-19T06:12:18.701-04:00Comments on Today's Inspiration: Pete Hawley: American Greetings!leifpenghttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07232334860061949895noreply@blogger.comBlogger26125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-18907156.post-16045939467415158142013-01-09T08:27:43.385-05:002013-01-09T08:27:43.385-05:00Lily Feuger passed away this week:
http://obits.cl...Lily Feuger passed away this week:<br />http://obits.cleveland.com/obituaries/cleveland/obituary.aspx?pid=162143233<br />I will never forget her.SToNZhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/15614518996184732727noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-18907156.post-13458106005245758452011-02-21T16:55:38.454-05:002011-02-21T16:55:38.454-05:00How great to come across this blog entry today!
I ...How great to come across this blog entry today!<br />I also worked as an illustrator at AG. (1981-1991 Humorous/Juvenile and Hi Brow) Lily was my first art director and taught me so much.<br />(Hi George!)<br />Thanks for sharing a great story. Pete Hawley was in a league of his own.<br /><br />SusanSToNZhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/15614518996184732727noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-18907156.post-39075640744954964772010-03-30T16:39:08.442-04:002010-03-30T16:39:08.442-04:00I worked with Lily in the late 60's and early ...I worked with Lily in the late 60's and early 70's. We are still very good friends. I actually assigned Lily cards when she was freelance. She was very prolific herself specializing in humorous cards. Pete Hawley was one of my favorites as a child when he produced the Bell Telephone ads with the baby that appeared in Good Housekeeping Magazine. I too got to help Lily assign Pete cards to do. We always waited in great anticipation for his work to be mailed in. We were never disappointed.Muriel OKhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/08070765120302276930noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-18907156.post-9078026528696720232009-10-16T18:41:30.611-04:002009-10-16T18:41:30.611-04:00Leif
I came across your blog via Drawn and really ...Leif<br />I came across your blog via Drawn and really appreciate you putting Hawley's work and life out there.<br />Great job!<br />I started at AG in 1978 and was somewhat familiar with his work, even though I was doing the funny cards for what was then called HiBrow Studios---Pete worked in humorous with Lily, who I knew.<br />Wish I had the chance to meet him.<br />As it turns out, I went pretty much the same route, going on full contract in 1981, while maintaining my freelance illustration work outside of the cards. <br />( There's something to be said for receiving a steady pay check doing something you love).<br />It's been 28 years,and David LeFleur funnels some of my work to me now.Have a few from him due next week,actually.Should probably start one. <br />gsGeorge Schillhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/06473362617907067165noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-18907156.post-900148358628567572009-10-16T12:07:40.579-04:002009-10-16T12:07:40.579-04:00This was great post thanks. It's strange, and ...This was great post thanks. It's strange, and this happens to me a lot when reading Today's Inspiration, seeing one of these cards out of context I probably wouldn't give it a second glance. But reading about the artist here and putting everything in context with his body of work I really get an appreciation for art I may not normally pay attention to.<br /><br />Thank you.tomhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/14100881728689912157noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-18907156.post-61265449106855738232009-10-14T22:09:47.980-04:002009-10-14T22:09:47.980-04:00As much as I like Hawley's early work, I was r...As much as I like Hawley's early work, I was really knocked out by these examples of his cards. The technique and craft is easy to overlook because so many of the next generation of card illustrators took notes from Hawley's work. But what I think the critical commenters don't get is that there is a finest hair of a line between a card expressing those sweet and pure emotions of childhood and one that drips mauldlin. Hawley knew where that line was and never crossed it. <br />Thanks so much for sharing this with us, Leif.Jack Rhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/06003755708951409832noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-18907156.post-38678548659509219582009-10-14T16:03:45.395-04:002009-10-14T16:03:45.395-04:00Thanks for the great post on Pete Hawley! Nice to ...Thanks for the great post on Pete Hawley! Nice to find out about the guy behind the brush...I've have some samples in my own "Hawley" file and often wondered about the artist at AG.<br />Thanks again, and thanks for all the other great things you've posted.liphttps://www.blogger.com/profile/11678973248168414547noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-18907156.post-77387373182392497582009-10-14T09:42:54.990-04:002009-10-14T09:42:54.990-04:00Anon, brought up a point about taking work beneath...Anon, brought up a point about taking work beneath the threshold of artistic merit. It's all supposition now, but I kind of feel Pete was enjoying the opportunity to do these over the top 'cute' cards. His execution was never compromised and he did work these ultra cute creatures into some of his more adult illustrations.Joel Brinkerhoffhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/16367156808507565022noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-18907156.post-23678689447651507252009-10-13T13:47:02.909-04:002009-10-13T13:47:02.909-04:00I'm sorry if I've caused offence with my l...I'm sorry if I've caused offence with my last comment, that wasn't the intention or was it to belittle the efforts of yourself and others connected with the work. For that please accept my apologies!<br /><br />But... Perhaps I can put it this way, I don't see the appeal at all in the style of illustration work - particularly the greetings cards. Here in the UK such imagery on cards shouts 'cheap and cheerful' and appeals to people who I have to say in the main have little or no perception of artistic ability or merit - which is not to say Hawley's work hasn't any.<br /><br />In another way given where this kind of work appears and still does in the UK (cheap children's books and greeting cards) I have always got the impression that artists who do it do so because we all have to earn a living - and sometimes that means taking jobs that we'd rather not do if the choice was available (isn't this why so much social housing is so badly designed?)<br /><br />Can someone enlighten me as to the appeal of it? Somebody compared it to some of Disney's work, well to me Disney too has work of great quality and sometimes work that surely he must have been almost ashamed to put out (I can't think of examples).<br /><br />It gets described as 'cute', but isn't this the kind of thing that Jeff Koons is parodying (and in a critical way) or am I missing something there too!<br /><br />Again, my apologies for any offence caused I hope this can move things on to debate<br /><br />Mike (England)Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-18907156.post-43231223619685069642009-10-13T01:37:40.013-04:002009-10-13T01:37:40.013-04:00A wonderful retrospective for a wonderful talent. ...A wonderful retrospective for a wonderful talent. Thanks Leif.Glen Mullalyhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/09673128711637788438noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-18907156.post-65937002868409751122009-10-12T22:30:46.300-04:002009-10-12T22:30:46.300-04:00Hello Leif,
Thanks for sharing all these wonderful...Hello Leif,<br />Thanks for sharing all these wonderful<br />images and the time you take to get info on such a fantastic artist. <br />The CUTE factor in all these cards are pretty awesome.Anonymoushttps://www.blogger.com/profile/05028261049147161358noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-18907156.post-67006198202549318042009-10-12T21:05:24.121-04:002009-10-12T21:05:24.121-04:00Thanks for giving a name to this artist. As a chi...Thanks for giving a name to this artist. As a child I was fascinated with his crazy blue shadows and loose brush work in the greeting cards. It's amazing to see how diverse and prolific he was and I love his mature illustrations.Joel Brinkerhoffhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/16367156808507565022noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-18907156.post-71645530010627736372009-10-12T18:18:43.424-04:002009-10-12T18:18:43.424-04:00Wonderful, all-encompassing job you've done on...Wonderful, all-encompassing job you've done on Hawley Leif---thanks very much. <br /><br />There are many ways in which to view art (or in this case illustration). One can (& sometimes should) set aside such aspects of time or purpose (i.e., market) a work was created during or for & admire strictly from the perspective of craft...Zach Trenholmhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/13293121056121534367noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-18907156.post-16741298721689921932009-10-12T15:36:01.023-04:002009-10-12T15:36:01.023-04:00Wooooooowwww! Look at all the great Hawley greetin...Wooooooowwww! Look at all the great Hawley greeting card art!!! Excellent! I definitely remember his style dominating that genre of greeting cards.<br /><br />And is it me or does that "Happy Halloween" card have Rankin-Bass written all over it? Did he work for them at any time, Leif?Les Toilhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/03933201040266265846noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-18907156.post-28136854869734690882009-10-12T13:39:40.729-04:002009-10-12T13:39:40.729-04:00Hey Lief,
Thanks for the mention in the post...but...Hey Lief,<br />Thanks for the mention in the post...but the few pieces i have by Hawley PALE in comparison to everyone else's contributions...I just happened to start picking up the greeting cars whenever i saw them in the seventies and eighties, they eventually disappeared forom the racks.... it never occurred to me to actually get in touch with the guy or his reps, but then the world was a different place in those days, especially in a small town in Southwestern Ontario. i had no idea that so much of his ORIGINAL work is around. Thanks for doing so much to put this right.SCOTT CAPLEhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/00383231992299446364noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-18907156.post-48494527712666251432009-10-12T13:36:53.835-04:002009-10-12T13:36:53.835-04:00Leif, in reference to Mike's arrogant comments...Leif, in reference to Mike's arrogant comments, I have witnessed the same sort of attitude before, from what I call non-commercial art snobs. Norman Rockwell has been hammered by art snobs for decades, yet it didn't seem to effect the long lasting admiration and popularity of his work, by much of the illustration community and the public alike. <br /><br />I was vaguely familiar with Pete Hawley's work, but TI has really exposed how versatile, prolific and uniquely talented he really was. I particularly admire versatility, because it takes very sound drawing skills, more than adequate design skills, the ability to change course and experiment, and a creative mind that can dream up workable concepts with great clarity.<br /><br />It is evident to me, that Pete Hawley's work has put a smile on a lot of people's faces.. and that-in-itself, is quite an achievement. Sorry that Mike (England) doesn't see Hawley's abundant talent.<br /><br />Tom WatsonTomhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/13237565169344311948noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-18907156.post-88290114757401681272009-10-12T13:30:28.226-04:002009-10-12T13:30:28.226-04:00Powerful man!
He has a way with lighting and those...Powerful man!<br />He has a way with lighting and those colored shades and shadows.<br /><br />Funny contrast also here between all those cuties and the Haloween monsters.Richnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-18907156.post-82778093907226740112009-10-12T12:32:53.468-04:002009-10-12T12:32:53.468-04:00Great retrospective article Leif! It was fascinati...Great retrospective article Leif! It was fascinating to read how the freelancers for AG worked in the past. When I worked at AG WHQ I had the chance to talk with David a couple of times about Pete over lunches. You could tell how much Pete's illustration meant to David who is a superior skilled painter in his own right. I was also surprised and pleased by how much Pete's work is still respected around the studio. A true master.<br /><br />Best,<br />Stevetesthttps://www.blogger.com/profile/08697262662730254801noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-18907156.post-51302407948622321702009-10-12T12:28:29.623-04:002009-10-12T12:28:29.623-04:00Awesome! These cards are fantastic. I greatly appr...Awesome! These cards are fantastic. I greatly appreciate all the generous time and effort from all parties involved.David Blaine Clemonshttps://www.blogger.com/profile/12237175583547473530noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-18907156.post-34290068386984727462009-10-12T11:07:25.672-04:002009-10-12T11:07:25.672-04:00Thank you for another great post. I have clipped a...Thank you for another great post. I have clipped a folder of the Betsy Bell<br />illustrations and have always admired them. I have enjoyed seeing all the <br />other art Pete Hawley has done that I was not aware of.<br /> The animation style and the good drawing it takes to do it in such<br />a unique way is as difficult to do as any kind of art. I like his work very much!haraldhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/13847533962327140580noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-18907156.post-45696118409478551732009-10-12T10:25:53.158-04:002009-10-12T10:25:53.158-04:00Holy moly, that's a lot of work - he was reall...Holy moly, that's a lot of work - he was really an illustrating machine! Love those Halloween specials. Thanks for the extensive post, Leif.<br /><br />Mike:<br />Haha - that's pretty funny. Of course, any of the subject matter here is...well... subjective, but man, you must not have personal experience in the arts at all. Not to appreciate the talent and effort obviously put forth to create the imagery shown, at the very least displays an elementary understanding of the arts in general.<br /><br />As seen on this site, there have been a lot of excellent illustrators that have floated between attitudes throughout their careers, but kudos to Hawley for continuing to hammer out his unique, noteworthy style.Matthttps://www.blogger.com/profile/01891803494450719808noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-18907156.post-75242949733965639442009-10-12T09:51:59.357-04:002009-10-12T09:51:59.357-04:00Jason, Shane and Don;
Thank you all for your ent...Jason, Shane and Don; <br /><br />Thank you all for your enthusiastic and encouraging comments. I certainly appreciate them and I'm sure the Hawley family will enjoy reading them as well.<br /><br />Mike (England); <br /><br />While I'm never opposed to well reasoned criticism to the material I post, I have to admit I don't understand what motivates one to go to the time and effort of leaving an unhelpful and insulting remark that will only offend the party who obviously went to a lot of effort in preparing this material and, more importantly, the family members and friends who loved the artist in question. Surely it must be clear to you that the children and grandchildren of this artist generously donated of their time, knowledge and artwork so that his story could be told, and it doesn't take a giant leap to realize they will be reading these comments. That you would have such complete disregard for their feelings leaves me feeling angry and disheartened. <br /><br />There's an old saying: "If you have nothing nice to say, then say nothing." I encourage you to take it to heart. If you really feel the need to be critical, support your criticism with some substantial argument. Your comment is the kind of shallow, wrong-headed thoughtlessness that illustrators have had to endure for much of the last hundred years and is entirely contrary to the spirit of this blog.leifpenghttps://www.blogger.com/profile/07232334860061949895noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-18907156.post-43973045602556922072009-10-12T09:06:55.381-04:002009-10-12T09:06:55.381-04:00Sorry, having praised your site quite recently I a...Sorry, having praised your site quite recently I am amazed that you see any merit in this kind of 'art' (using the word with irony.)<br /><br />I often wondered who drew these type of things and always assumed it would be some nobody who hadn't the talent to get any other work in the world of illustration or advertising.<br /><br />Mike (England)Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-18907156.post-35844626008767112722009-10-12T07:33:49.081-04:002009-10-12T07:33:49.081-04:00Fantastic artwork. Thanks for all this. Being in E...Fantastic artwork. Thanks for all this. Being in England, I had never heard of Pete Hawley before.<br /><br />There really should be some big fat art books about these great illustrators, instead of yet another book about Renoir or Monet.Don Coxhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/11232752398252841794noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-18907156.post-41754615376810705672009-10-12T01:50:56.231-04:002009-10-12T01:50:56.231-04:00Wow...this has been my favorite week. I mean, it&#...Wow...this has been my favorite week. I mean, it's hard to top Bernie Fuchs, but I've been absorbing a lot of Pete's work for a project I'm doing I just can't get enough of it.<br /><br />Oddly I see a connection to the way Disney did some of their work in the 60s and 70s. There's something about it. They both did "cute" so well but I have to think Hawley must have influenced somebody there. Just a wild idea maybe.<br /><br />Awesome stuff and I'm glad everyone was so generous to contribute too!<br /><br />=s=Unknownhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/15409708479420488052noreply@blogger.com