Richard Staples Dodge facts for kids
Quick facts for kids
Dick Dodge
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| Born |
Richard Staples Dodge
January 18, 1918 Sacramento, California, U.S.
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| Died | May 24, 1974 (aged 56) New York City, New York, U.S.
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| Nationality | American |
| Education | Art Center School (1937), Chouinard School (1938), Mills College (1939), Art Academy of Cincinnati (1939–1943) |
| Known for | Painting, commercial art, illustration, children's literature, drawing, watercolor, sculpture |
Richard Staples (Dick) Dodge (born January 18, 1918 – died May 24, 1974) was an American artist. He was well-known for his illustrations, especially for record covers and children's books. Dick Dodge also created paintings, drawings, and sculptures. His art style changed over time, from realistic scenes to more abstract designs.
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Early Life and Education
Dick Dodge was born in Sacramento, California, in 1918. He loved art from a young age. He received scholarships to attend several art schools. These included the Art Center School and the Chouinard Art Institute. He also studied at Mills College during a summer program. There, he learned from famous artists like Lyonel Feininger.
In 1939, Dick Dodge moved to the Art Academy of Cincinnati. He continued his art studies there with a full scholarship.
Military Service
In 1942, Dick Dodge joined the U.S. Air Corps. He served for about four months. He was honorably discharged because of health reasons.
Art Career and Illustrations
After his military service, Dick Dodge went back to the Cincinnati Art Academy. In 1943, he started working at Columbia Records. This was a big music company. His friend, James Flora, helped him get the job. At Columbia Records, Dodge created artwork for many record covers.
Working with Music Companies
Dick Dodge made art for both Columbia Records and RCA Victor. These were two of the biggest record companies at the time. He designed covers for many types of music. This included children's stories, popular songs, and classical music. One famous example is the original cover for the musical Paint Your Wagon.
Illustrating Books and Magazines
Besides record covers, Dick Dodge also illustrated many books. He worked for major publishers like Random House and Simon & Schuster. He created pictures for children's books, such as Too Many Sisters. He also illustrated The First Book of Boys Cooking. Dodge designed dust jackets for books by authors like P. G. Wodehouse. He even illustrated the cover for Zorba the Greek.
From 1954 to 1958, Dodge drew pictures for Ford Times magazine. He designed the cover for their December 1955 issue. It showed a "Christmas Tree Highway."
Artistic Style and Memberships
Throughout his life, Dick Dodge explored many art styles. His work showed influences from Regionalism, which focuses on everyday life, to Abstract Expressionism, which uses colors and shapes to show feelings.
Dick Dodge was an active member of the American Watercolor Society. He joined in 1956 and remained a member until he passed away. He was also a founding member of the Artist Guild of Westport, Connecticut. He belonged to the Society of Illustrators in New York.
