Murray Tinkelman

A couple of weeks ago, Margaret and I had the pleasure of driving up to the Norman Rockwell Museum of Illustration in Stockbridge, Massachusetts, to hear a lecture by the great illustrator, Murray Tinkelman. I know Murray and his wife Carol from ‘back in the day’, and even though we haven’t seen each other for a while, I consider them great friends. (Illustrators are always busy working, and no one gets that more than the Tinkelmans!)

Murray has been honored by the museum with a solo exhibit: Baseball, Rodeos, and Automobiles: The Art of Murray Tinkelman. It was wonderful to see him and Carol, and even more special to hear him talk about his career. Murray, with his typically New York attitude, told it all – the good, the bad, and the ugly! I loved that he began his lecture talking about some of his early illustration idols, inlcuding Norman Rockwell (who he said must have ‘come from Mars’) as well as Lorraine Fox, whom he emulated as a young illustrator. (“I was the second-best Lorraine Fox in the business.”) Murray showed his favorite illustrations, the jobs that he loved, and told stories of doing illustration from the 1950s to today. What a wonderful career! He mentioned art directors he loved working with and those he felt ‘butchered’ his illustrations. He talked about his experiences with the rodeo, and the Native American series of illustrations he had done. He talked about how he came into his ‘signature’ style of cross hatch, and how much he loved doing it. Someone asked Murray if the work he does is ‘labor intensive’ – his answer:

“It’s the easiest and most pleasurable thing I do.”

So great to listen to Murray talk and tell stories again, enjoy his humor, and see his wonderful artworks. Thanks Murray! And of course, his equally sharp, witty, and fabulous wife, Carol!

If you are in the area, I recommend the show highly. Info HERE, or check out Mr. Tinkelman’s website HERE.

posted by Veronica