Philip Goodwin

Philip R. Goodwin was an American artist and illustrator specializing in cowboys, hunting and outdoor scenes. He was born in Norwich, Connecticut on September 16, 1881 and began drawing at a young age. By the age of eleven, he published his first illustration in Collier’s magazine. His parents recognized his natural talent and enrolled him at the Rhode Island School of Design and later at the Art Students League in New York. Throughout his school career, he began to idolize Howard Pyle (1853-1911), a wildlife artist teaching at Drexel Institute of Philadelphia. In 1899, Goodwin enrolled at Drexel to study under this artistic icon and later, also under Pyle at the Howard Pyle School of Illustration Art from 1901-1903. Under Pyle’s tutelage, Goodwin came to understand the importance of living the experiences that he paints to gain a greater empathy of the environment. He befriended Charles Russell (1864-1926), a fellow wildlife artist, and went on sketching expeditions with him. In 1903, Goodwin illustrated Jack London’s Call of the Wild and other books, advertisements and posters. The following year, he moved to New York City and opened a studio, continuing to illustrate for multiple magazines such as Collier's Weekly and Outdoor Life, to name a few.

Being an avid outdoorsman and hunter, his love for the sport and nature showed through his open use of color and sense of humor within his paintings. Until his death at 54, Goodwin led a prominent and successful artistic career before his death on December 14, 1935. Despite his death, Philip Goodwin will live on through his illustrations that have brought countless books to life through the decades.