About Wendell Minor

Should you have any questions with your order that cannot be resolved through this storefront, please contact:

Wendell or Florence Minor
P.O. Box 1135
Washington, CT 06793
(860) 868-9101

Wendell Minor is a traditionalist and a romantic. He has had a romance with America since his childhood in Aurora, Illinois, and as he explores more regions more closely, his love of the country grows with a vision that celebrates the beautiful, the lyrical. After completing his studies at the Ringling School of Art and Design in Sarasota, Florida, Wendell began creating original designs for book publishers in New York City. His cover illustrations have enhanced over 2000 works, among them, the covers of bestsellers Truman by David McCullough, The Prince of Tides and Beach Music by Pat Conroy, Fried Green Tomatoes and Welcome to the World, Baby Girl by Fannie Flagg, To Kill a Mockingbird by Harper Lee, Julie's Wolf Pack by Jean Craighead George, Alaska by James Michener and Terms of Endearment by Larry McMurtry.

Wendell draws upon his lifelong affinity for enviromental issues to create illustrations for children's books, which he finds especially satisfying, as they allow him to combine his love of the outdoors with his independent pursuits – including painting the landscape from life, in the tradition of classic American painters such as Homer, Hopper, and Wyeth. His wish is to inspire children to go out into the fields and woods and mountains to see wildlife in its natural habitat, and to give the children a positive perspective about the beauty that abounds in the world. Happily, the poets and authors whose words he illustrates share his deep respect for the natural world.

Wendell's travels have taken him from the tropical Everglades of Florida, to Barrow, Alaska in the Arctic circle, from the Midwest to the Grand Canyon in the Southwest, and throughout the United States, to research his many children's books, which have won national acclaim.

“Artist Wendell Minor has said, ‘A picture invites the viewer into it and offers a sense of mystery. It lets the viewer become part of the process. A good picture, like a good story, is timeless.’ The timelessness of Minor’s art begins when he gets an idea or insight that he wants to create and with his editor, he finds an author who share his sensibilities and interest in a particular subject. When Minor begins researching a subject, he often travels to get a clear sense of what he is portraying. He enjoys being out in “the field” observing his subjects and gaining the inspiration he needs to create good composition, value, color and texture. The works he feels closest to are his illustrations for children’s books. Minor loves bringing scenes of the natural world to children. ‘If we lose touch with nature,’ he has said, ‘then we lose touch with ourselves.’

Minor also utilizes the computer to scan a sketch, recolor and enlarge it and experiment with different type faces. His work preparation includes taking many photographs, doing sketches and taking notes. The finished work must relate in ‘harmony of movement and composition.’ The work becomes ‘not just a visual interpretation of a story, but a story on its own.’ ”

- From “Visual Solutions” Michelle Gillett, Columnist and Editor of The Women’s Time, on Visual Solutions: Seven Illustrators and the Creative Process - a recent exhibition at the Norman Rockwell Museum.

A Past President of the Society of Illustrators in New York City, Wendell currently lives in rural Connecticut with his wife and business partner Florence Friedmann Minor, a former film editor for ABC television. Their first picture book collaboration entitled ?Christmas Tree!? was published in 2005. Wendell and Florence share their home, and studio, with their cats Sofie and Cindercat.

Wendell Minor is also a member of The Children’s Book Council (CBC), a non-profit trade organization dedicated to encouraging literacy and the use and enjoyment of children’s books.

Minor Art Storefront: (860) 868-9101