Sarah S. Stilwell: Introduction

Stilwell is one of my favorites. She could draw children as no one else could, and make her illustrations into paintings. This is a full pager entitled In October from Scribner's Monthly Magazine for October 1905. The bright-eyed stare is precious. I feel certain it was drawn from life, probably with photos as a backup. Click on image to enlarge. I believe it's the way Howard Pyle (1853-1911) and his pupils worked. Draw as much from life as possible and rely on the photos for what you might have missed after the models have left the studio. Not a lot has been recorded about Stilwell. We know she entered Pyle's studio at Drexel in 1898 and studied there and at his summer school at Chadd's Ford PA, moving to Wilmington DE when Pyle returned there. She freelanced her illustrations for major publishers from 1900 while continuing to be mentored by Pyle. She eventually married and settled in Philadelphia, where she remained all her life. Stay tuned for more of her wonderful work.

Comments

[Meredith Eliassen]

I have been a fan of Sarah S. Stilwell's for years. I think her work did not survive because it appeared in readers and was loved (to distruction) by her young readers. Thank you so much for compiling this thoughtful appreciation of her work. Could you tell me what edition of "The Water Babies" has her illustrations?

[Ocean]

I've been researching Sarah Stillwell, and I have only found a few sites mentioning her so far - yours is the best!
If anyone knows more about Stillwell or can direct me to other links on her work, I would greatly appreciate it.
Isn't she marvelous?

Thanks,
Ocean

I can be emailed about Stillwell's art via this site:
http://www.OceanMusic.com

[charlotte gerhardt]

i have a sarah stilwell-weber painting that was used on the cover of the Saturday Evening Post. August 14, 1915. Girl Bathing. loved reading your info about her...know any more? or anything about this painting? My grandfather bought it in Philadelphia in the early 1900's.