Inspiration

Collaborating Couples: Three Pairs of Visual Artists and Their Work

by . May 25th, 2012

It’s often said that great things come in pairs, and we couldn’t agree more when we think about some of our favorite visual artists. All artists featured here have distinct styles, mediums, and audiences. When paired with their spouse, however, their combined body of work looks more remarkable and somewhat complementary. Graphic designers like you, our dear readers, often work alone. So why not collaborate with another designer and prove that two heads are better than one? Read on and find out how these visual artists thrived with their significant others.

 

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Jackson Pollock and Lee Krasner

Reading about the life of the couple gave one the impression that Pollock and Krasner gave each other reassurance when none of their work was appreciated.

Jackson Pollock and Lee Krasner moved to East Hampton after they wed, into what is now known as the Pollock – Krasner House and Studio. Here, both artists explored their respective techniques. Pollock worked on his famous drip paintings, moving away from figurative expression and created art that boosted his popularity. Krasner, on the other hand, did not receive critical recognition until her husband died. Nevertheless, she is an Abstract Expressionist painter of some distinction. Her technique included cutting her own drawings and paintings to create collages.

 

Jackson Pollock #8
 

Jackson Pollock – The Key
 

Jackson Pollock – The Tea Cup
 

Jackson Pollock – Male and Female
 

Jackson Pollock #3 
Lee Krasner – Noon
 

Lee Krasner, Untitled
 

Lee Krasner – Cool White
 

Lee Krasner
 

Lee Krasner

Leo and Diane Dillon

Leo Dillon met Diane Sorber at Parsons School of Design in New York. In an interview, Leo told the story of how on the first time they met, he noticed a drawing on the wall that he described as “so good.” Later on, he would find out that a fellow student named Diane was the artist behind it.

50 years of collaboration and marriage led to thousands of images made with joint effort and compromise. Their illustrations have received critical acclaim, including back-to-back Caldecott Medals for Children’s Book Illustration. According to the couple, observation and careful study are skills every illustrator should have. Both artists see art as the epitome of everything, and it is evident in the work they do.

 

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Mary and Lee Blair

Mary Blair and her husband Lee Everett Blair worked for different animation studios before ultimately joining Disney. Mary is known for her bold colors, as seen in her mural art for the Tomorrowland Promenade. Lee’s art is composed mainly of watercolors and drawings. Both are important figures in commercial and fine art.

 

 

 

 

 

Source for Mary Blair’s art
 

 

 

 

 

Source for Lee Blair’s art

 

We hope these creative couples and their respective artworks inspire you on your next graphic design project. Tell us about other artistic couples you admire through our Facebook and Twitter accounts!

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