Is anyone familiar with a 1950's gag illustrator who signed his name simply as
"Van?" The no-necks, the balloon-shaped bodies, the fun sense of no holds barred cartoony exaggeration--
LOVE IT! Any info concerning this unique artist would be greatly appreciated, thank you.
All gags above can be found in the Sept. '57 issue of TV Girls and Gags.
Unfortunately I have no info for you. I do believe his work usually appeared in men's magazines though. I can recall seeing some of his stuff in my father's old Playboys from the 1960's.
ReplyDeletethanks, Facey Strange!
ReplyDeleteI have no idea. The loose gestural style here does seem to ring a bell, but that probably means nothing. Assuming that it's not entirely made up, a name like Van possibly indicates an emigrant. A cursory look online turned up a Dutch and a French artist who cartooned under the signature "Van"--the French guy even did ringside cartoons--but neither of the styles seemed to match.
ReplyDeleteA cursory examination of Google hits also seemed to indicate that "girls and gags" were predictably bad search terms for the young or easily offended.
love the bare hug! these are super and remind me a little bit of Grin and Bear it.
ReplyDeleteKarswell: I've never seen this artist, but I love his stuff! Such simple, effective lines - and his characters have such . . . character! Good one!
ReplyDelete