Margaret Evelyn Whittemore

Margaret Whittemore

(1897 - 1983)

American (Kansas) printmaker

Margaret Whittemore was born into a family of Washburn College teachers on September 7, 1897, in Topeka, Kansas, growing up there. Her father, Luther D. Whittemore was a professor of Latin and education, and her mother Frances Davis Whittemore was director of the art department.

I show you the 6 solo bird prints I've found wich I think are quite nice. You can also see that working together with Avis Chitwood brings both artist to a higher level (in bird picture printing). Compare Margarets lovingly depicted birds also to the bird prints by British Winifred Austen (1876-1964, of whom I can only afford a postcard copy) and German Hugo Amberg (1872- ?)

The artist-to-be studied, naturally enough, at Washburn (today a University) from 1915-1919, receiving her degree. From 1920-1923, she studied graphic arts at the School of the Art Institute of Chicago, Illinois. In 1927, she taught art at Bethany College, in Lindsborg, Kansas. From 1928-1935, she edited the national publication of the honorary art fraternity Delta Phi Delta, "The Palette." Whittemore moved from Topeka to Kissimmee, Florida, in 1952, spending a number of years in both Short Hills, New Jersey, and Sarasota, Florida, before choosing Sarasota as her home. She would die there on November 24, 1983.

Her primary medium in the expression of Kansas subjects was the graphic arts, wood block prints in particular. Around 1930, magazines and newspapers began publishing her prints of historic landmarks, as well as her earlier birds and trees. She illustrated books by other writers, while also writing and illustrating her own. Sketchbook of Kansas Landmarks, published in 1936, was her first book. It featured drawings and descriptions of historically significant landmarks like the capitol, missions, old trails, homes, bridges and trees. I picked two of the many she made that I think show her skills best.

Whittemore, during summer study with Birger Sandzen at the Broadmoor Academy, Colorado Springs, exhibited also with the Prairie Print Makers Exhibition, which traveled through Kansas. She won "Best Print by a Kansas Artist" in the 1936 American Block Print exhibition, in Wichita, Kansas.

I think this is the first time 6 of Margarets bird prints are shown together. If you examples of others please think about sending me a copy allowing me to do a follow up.

Text Source: Phil Kovinick and Marian Yoshiki Kovinick, "An Encyclopedia of Artists of the American West" (Bio from askart.com).

Avis Chitwood

Avis Chitwood

(1894-1994)

American Kansas Printer

illustrator and writer of children's books

Once she started, Avis Chitwood couldn't stop expressing herself through art. She drew, sketched, and painted in Kansas for nearly 100 years. Her best-known art depicts the wildflowers and rustic buildings of Kansas. Chitwood took an early interest in art at her childhood home in Mound City, Kansas. She drew with colored chalk on a blackboard in the family's dining room. As she grew and continued to excel at art, her father recognized her talent. He arranged for his daughter to study watercolor and china painting at a Kansas City art studio after completing high school.
I show you her "native flower" compositions. I found all somewhat discolored but that may also be caused by the paper Avis used so I left them as I found them in different locations. I think this the first time 6 of them are shown together. I hope to find more with the help of readers of my humble Blog. Any information on the paper used is welcomend too.
Four years later, Chitwood moved to Topeka where she designed and illustrated a catalogue for Dennison Paper Products. Always interested in trying different mediums, she studied art and architectural design at the University of Kansas. She applied her sketching talents to perspective drawings from surveyor's notes at the Kansas Highway Commission.

Chitwood next took an interest in etching, saying, "the strong contrast of black and white has a dignity and strength that appeals to me." She taught courses on the subject after studying it at Washburn University.

Chitwood enjoyed sharing her love of art with others, and did so by organizing and teaching art classes for children and high school students.

Late in life she began writing children's stories and poetry. Chitwood's talents did not go unrecognized. Her pieces were featured in several exhibitions and won multiple honors and awards.
She never stopped creating art, and was still drawing up to her death in Topeka at the age of 100.

Enjoyed reading the post ? You are invited to leave a comment. Also when you didn't or have any suggestions.

I used the (condensed) text found at:

The first picture of the printing lady is not Avis Chitwood but is used for illustration purpose only (but it could have been Avis at the Press though).

NEXT POST (soon) :

Margeret Evelyn Whittemore