I just found out that Sheilah Beckett- an amazing illustrator who has managed to stay active for the better part of the last century- just passed away this November at the admirable age of 100.
I only discovered her work earlier this year, but I fell in love with it almost immediately- it’s sexy, it’s stylish, and it has an aesthetic sensibility that manages to be timeless and relevant even by modern standards. I see so much of what I want to be in her work- her flawless lineart, her stylization of form and shape, her impeccable eye for lavish historical costumes. It’s crazy good.
We owe so much to the pioneering female illustrators who came before us- if you haven’t seen her work before, try to take a moment out of your day to look her up, like her facebook page, revel in her raw talent, then get out there and make some art! We’re part of a noble and damn proud tradition, and we owe her that much. :)