Fairy Tale Friday-Alice & Martin Provensen

Alice and Martin Provensen...a love story in illustration!

You can see my complete Pinterest board of their work here.

This American couple married during WWII and went on to illustrate more than 40 children's books together, writing almost half of them. They won multiple awards, including the Caldecott Medal.

Their illustrator friend Gustaf Tenngren (above) helped them get their first joint assignment. Alice and Martin both won scholarships to the Art Institute of Chicago. Alice went on to Walter Lantz Studio, home of Woody Woodpecker. Martin collaborated with the Walt Disney Studio on Dumbo, Fantasia, and Pinnochio.

The lovebirds lived most of their idyllic lives on Maple Hill Farm in New York, and they captured images of their happy days in the book A Year at Maple Hill Farm.

Isn't she radiant?

Martin passed away in 1987, but Alice went on to illustrate books until the mid 200s. When he died, she expressed trepidations about working alone. Their collaborative style was unique in that they worked so closely it was nearly impossible to distinguish an individual style, only that of the couple. Alice said, "We were a true collaboration. Martin and I really were one artist."

Though their career together spanned over 40 years, I think they're best represented by their work from the 1960s. They epitomized the bright color and streamlined shapes of mid-century illustration.

Their work ranged from flat and graphic to painterly, but they always delivered joyful, colorful characters.

(The Crucifixion, Marc Chagall)

Some of their work is reminiscent of Marc Chagall, don't you think?

I see similarities in composition, color, and brushwork.

They created the character Tony the Tiger.

Such cute endpapers.

This has such a sixties feel, doesn't it?

This one is so menacing and exciting! That would have terrified and fascinated me as a kid.

They did cute like no one else. That violet is so vivid!

I think Funny Bunny is my favorite.

Great flat, graphic flowers. Almost like wallpaper.

They did a few cookbooks, too. This reminds me of tea towels from the period.

Love that pink.

Oh, how I wish this was still in print.

Some of their work has echoes of Richard Scarry. (below) Maybe it's the other way around. Knowing how loving all these people were, it was probably mutual!