1. Don Freeman was an American painter, printmaker, cartoonist, and an illustrator and writer of children's books.
19 Facts About Don Freeman
1. 2.
Don Freeman was active from the 1930s to the 1970s and often used Times Square as the backdrop of his memorable works.
3.
Don Freeman attended high school in St Louis, and moved to New York City in late 1928.
4.
Don Freeman studied at the San Diego School of Fine Arts and, after graduation, he earned passage to New York by playing the cornet with a ship's orchestra.
5.
Don Freeman arrived at the city days before the stock market crash of 1929 and earned money as a dance band musician.
6.
Don Freeman enrolled at the Art Students League of New York where he studied graphic design and lithography under John Sloan, Harry Wickey, and Kathryn E Cherry.
7.
Don Freeman was known for carrying a sketchbook with him wherever he went.
8.
Don Freeman's images depicted New York City, and the faces of the people he observed on the streets, in the theaters, and in the subways.
9.
Don Freeman was a jazz musician and the brother of hotel entrepreneur Warren Don Freeman.
10.
Don Freeman's wife, Lydia, who was an accomplished artist, authored some of the books Freeman illustrated.
11.
Don Freeman was first introduced to children's literature when William Saroyan asked him to illustrate several books.
12.
Don Freeman owned a large collection of books on the artist.
13.
Don Freeman is best known for his publication of Corduroy.
14.
Don Freeman was very influential on her husband's work, as he relied on her for inspiration for his pieces.
15.
Don Freeman would read his work aloud to her as well as any children around in order to gain feedback on a particular piece.
16.
When Don Freeman lived in New York City during the 1930s, 1940s, and early 1950s, he was an illustrator of city life in the tradition of Social Realism.
17.
In later volumes, Don Freeman illustrated life in post-war Los Angeles.
18.
In 1976, Don Freeman was recognized by the City of New York for his body of work portraying the city.
19.
In 2018, Don Freeman's work was featured in "A City for Corduroy", an exhibit at the Museum of the City of New York.