Little Golden Books Illustrator/Artist/Cartoonist Mel Crawford Dies at 89, RIP (1925-2015)

Sad news to report. Mel Crawford, a distinctive fine artist best known as one of the greatest illustrators for drawing and painting of comic strips and children's books relating to classic animation features and TV shows of the 1950s and 60s, has died peacefully. He passed away at Valerie Manor in Torrington, Connecticut, and had lived in nearby Washington, Connecticut. Crawford spent decades drawing the world’s most famous cartoon characters, but he didn’t do it at any animation studio. A painter and illustrator, he drew hundreds of comics and illustrated books (especially Little Golden Books) featuring characters like the Flintstones, Scrooge McDuck, Rocky and Bullwinkle, and Gerald McBoing Boing.

Mel Crawford, ca. early-1960s.

The Canadian artist was born on September 10, 1925 in Toronto, Canada, and spent his childhood in various provinces of Canada, including Alberta, as well as in Oklahoma. Mel began drawing professionally at the age of 16 when he illustrated the feature “The Three T’s” in Bell Features Publications’ Joke Comics. Crawford served in the Royal Canadian Navy as fighter pilot during World War II, and afterward attended Ontario College of Art. Following his schooling, he moved permanently to the United States. After a stint working in animation at Disney Studios in the 1950s, Crawford later found his talents better served as an illustrator for Disney, working extensively on items like record album covers, posters, comics and children's books for publishers like Western Publishing's Little Golden Books series. His association with Western led to drawing and painting hundreds of books and comics - representing almost every animation studio and pop culture icon of the 20th Century.

Crawford drew his first professional work, "The Three T's," when he was sixteen years old. (Image via Comic Book Daily)

In the late-1940s he began working regularly on licensed projects for animation studios through Western Publishing, and its subsidiaries like Whitman Publishing. A versatile artist who was equally comfortable working in both cartoonish and realistic styles, Mel drew and painted not only cartoon characters, but pop culture icons as diverse as Rootie Kazootie, Buck Rogers, Raggedy Ann & Andy, Roy Rogers, Howdy Doody, Rin Tin Tin, Smokey Bear, and Tarzan. A sampling of his work can be seen on the Golden Gems blog.

Among his many art jobs, Crawford painted Yogi Bear, Twinkles The Elephant, Tom & Jerry and drew just about every iconic animated character of his time along the way. He was the cover artist for The Golden Magazine and did much work for Jim Henson and Sesame Street.
In his later years he concentrated on fine art and his work has been widely exhibited.
He is a winner of the Franklin Mint Gold Medal for watercolor and a winner of several Grumbacher Gold Medals.
He lived and painted in New England for more than 40 years.

A strong influence to the current generation of animation artists working today, Crawford's beloved work will be long remembered and cherished. Crawford is survived by his wife, Virginia; three sons, Gregory of Gaysville, VT; Neil of Southfield, MA and Lindsey Crawford of Sheffield, MA; a daughter Anne Crawford of Litchfield, CT; stepson Trevor Reynolds of Farmington, CT; a stepdaughter Heather Feinsinger of Simsbury, CT, six grandchildren and one great-granddaughter. His family reported that he passed away on Monday, Feb. 23rd. He was at the age of 89 years old.
A more comprehensive biography of his life can be found at Comic Book Daily.