Frank Godwin
Frank Godwin (October 20, 1889 – August 5, 1959) was an American illustrator and comic strip artist, best remembered for his strip Connie and his book illustrations for Treasure Island, Kidnapped, Robinson Crusoe, Robin Hood and King Arthur. He also was a prolific editorial and advertising illustrator.
Born Francis Godwin in Washington, D.C., he was the son of the Washington Star's city editor, and at age 16, he began as an apprentice on his father's paper in 1905.[1] Studying in New York at the Art Students League, Godwin became friends with James Montgomery Flagg and two shared a studio together. Godwin was influenced by Flagg and Charles Dana Gibson, and reflections of both can be seen in Godwin's work.[1] Illustration historian and critic Jim Vadeboncoeur gave Godwin the highest ranking:
- While obviously influenced by Flagg (and Charles Dana Gibson), Godwin managed to create a style that was recognizably his and that stood out from both his idols and the mass of clones that were cropping up everywhere. His ability to create tones, especially facial characteristics, with his pen and brush were equal to and in some ways better than Gibson and, I think, obviously superior to Flagg. His use of pen and brush in the same illustration demonstrated an understanding of the medium that set his work apart from his contemporaries. It, combined with his tonal skills, gave his work a depth and weight that was seldom equaled. Walt and Roger Reed in The Illustrator in America, 1880-1980 credit some of this realism to his modeling of busts in clay for reference. They don't say when he adopted this practice, but it's unlikely that he was doing this so early in his career.[2]
Comic strips
In 1938, Godwin stepped in to replace illustrator Kemp Starrett on writer Paul Powell's daily Roy Powers, Eagle Scout, "the official strip of the Boy Scouts of America," which continued until 1942.[3] Godwin's two major strips, seen over three decades, were Rusty Riley (1948-59) and Connie (1927-44). Some sources indicate 1929 as the start date for Connie. Hal Foster, Milton Caniff and Alex Raymond continue to be reprinted with regularity, while Godwin's strips are difficult to find. He receives more attention in Europe, specifically France (where Connie is usually called Cora), though even there it is quite sparse.
Books
One reason for the obscurity of his comic strip work is that his strips were distributed by smaller syndicates than those of his contemporaries. However, original book editions featuring his work are avidly sought and traded.