ORIGINAL LOWELL HESS (1921-2014) 'COUGARS HEAD DRAWN FROM ERNEST THOMPSON SETON' INK DRAWING
This is just a great original piece. This is one of 2 original Lowell Hess drawings I just purchased and am offering in my store. I bought the drawings because of the quality of the work without knowing much about the artist. In doing research I learned that I have seen many of his works over the course of my life. From the Golden Books and Boy's Life I read as a child to the magazine covers I have seen as an adult his work was truly wonderful. For those not familiar with the artist, I have included his biography below. This piece is particularly special as it also representative of the work by important wildlife artist and author Ernest Thompson Seton. My guess is that this is a similar drawing to one that Seton did for one of his early 20th Century books. Having looked at Seton's drawings, I would say that this is probably a much more refined drawing of a Cougar and actually looks incredibly realistic. Ink on paper with the image measuring 9 1/2 x 8 inches on sheet measuring 17 1/2 x 15 inches. Beautiful as drawn condition. Simple black frame is complimentary and ready to hang. Frame measures 18 1/4 x 15 3/4 inches. Really an outstanding original drawing by one of America's 20th Century iconic Illustrators. If you collect or like Hess' work make sure you check my store for the other example I am also selling. Free shipping anywhere in the United States, even if purchase both.
For those not familiar with the artist his biography from his obituary reads: " Born in Thomas, OK, the first of nine children, Lowell had a long and distinguished career as an artist and commercial illustrator. After attending the University of Oklahoma, where he met his first wife Geraldine, also an art student, Lowell served as a first lieutenant in the U.S. Army from 1942-1945. He attended the Pratt Institute in Brooklyn, N.Y. and then worked as an illustrator for many of the nation's top magazines and publishers, including Collier's, Reader's Digest, Boy's Life, Golden Books and Time Life Books. As the heyday for illustrators began to wane, Lowell was fortunate to have met Bob Herlin, CEO of Graphics3 Inc. who hired him as creative director for the company, where he served for more than 25 years designing and illustrating pop-up greeting cards. These designs were among the most advanced of their kind in the world and won many awards. Lowell enjoyed singing in the choir at Southport Congregational Church and was also a highly accomplished woodcarver and furniture maker who made many pieces of reproduction furniture for his 1670's home in Southport, CT. "