Howard Jacob Simon is a notable figure due to his significant contributions as a painter, illustrator, and educator. His artistic talent and dedication to his craft earned him national recognition during the 1920s and 1930s. Simon's proficiency in various mediums, including oils, watercolors, sketches, woodcut prints, and etchings, showcased his versatility as an artist. His illustrations for numerous books, including those of his first wife, Charlie May Simon, and his second wife, Mina Lewiton, demonstrated his ability to bring stories to life visually. Simon's connection to Arkansas and his portrayal of the state's culture and people further cemented his legacy. As an artist-in-residence and faculty member at New York University, he also played a crucial role in shaping future generations of artists. Howard Jacob Simon's artistic achievements and his dedication to his craft make him a notable figure in the art world.
Howard Jacob Simon was born on July 22, 1903, in New York City, New York County, New York. His parents were Samuel Simon, a salesman of general merchandise, and Bertha (Seide) Simon. In his early years, Simon showed a strong inclination towards art and knew from a young age that he wanted to become an artist. He diligently pursued his passion by attending the National Academy of Design on a daily basis and later spent two years at the New York Academy of Arts while working as a newspaper illustrator.
By the age of 17, Simon had managed to save enough money to fulfill his dream of studying art in Paris, France. There, he enrolled at the Academie Julian and studied under the renowned artist Jacques Alexander for several years. It was during this time that he honed his woodblock technique, learning from Japanese instructors.
In Paris, Simon met Charlie May Hogue, whom he married on September 15, 1926. He began his artistic career in the French capital, where he created drawings depicting the lives of beggars living under the city's bridges. Additionally, he incorporated the woodblock technique he had mastered into his artworks.
Unfortunately, Simon's marriage to Charlie May ended in divorce on November 22, 1936, in Perry County, Arkansas. Despite this personal setback, his artistic career continued to flourish during the 1920s and 1930s. He gained national acclaim as a painter working in oils and watercolors, as well as an illustrator specializing in sketches and woodcut prints.
During the early 1930s, Simon lived outside Hollis in Perry County, Arkansas. This move was influenced by his wife Charlie May's desire to live a lifestyle reminiscent of her ancestors. The couple built a log cabin, and Simon found inspiration in the local community, creating sketches of the people he encountered. He would often barter these sketches for goods, services, or items handmade by the locals. Many of his illustrations during this period were featured in Charlie May Simon's books and Wayman Hogue's "Back Yonder, An Ozark Chronicle," Charlie May Simon's father.
Simon's dedication to his craft led him to illustrate notable works such as François Rabelais's works, François-Marie Arouet de Voltaire's "Candide," and Oscar Wilde's "The Nightingale and the Rose." His artistic contributions extended beyond Arkansas, with his work being exhibited at prestigious venues such as the Smithsonian and the Victoria and Albert Museum in London. He was a full member of the California Society of Etchers.
In January 1936, Simon married Mina Lewiton in Manhattan, New York. He divided his time between Arkansas and New York, where he served as a faculty member at New York University's art department for twenty years. During his time in Arkansas, Simon focused on creating woodcuts and etchings instead of oils and watercolors. He frequently traveled to participate in art shows in New York, Little Rock, and Memphis. In 1942, he resided in Laurelton, Queens County, New York, and by 1950, he lived on 73rd Street in New York City.
Despite his divorce from Charlie May, Simon maintained his ties to Arkansas throughout his life. He continued illustrating her books and even designed woodcuts for Arkansas's Centennial celebration in 1936, depicting the Spanish explorer Hernando De Soto and his men.
Simon's second wife, Mina Lewiton, was also a writer of children's literature, and he often illustrated her works. The couple had one daughter, but Mina passed away in 1970. Simon went on to marry Pony Bouche, with whom he had no children.
In 1970, Simon published his autobiography, "Cabin on a Ridge," which chronicled his five years in Arkansas, the construction of his log cabin, and his experiences with the mountain people. Notably, the book did not mention Charlie May. Additionally, Simon authored "500 Years of Art in Illustration," published by the World Publishing Company in 1942, which explored art from the 1400s to the 1940s across various countries.
In 1971, Simon joined the faculty of the Barlow School in Amenia, New York, and became the chairman of the art department in 1972. He was honored in June 1979 when the Barlow School dedicated a new building, the Simon Art School, in his name. Unfortunately, Simon suffered a stroke in August 1979. Later that year, on October 15, 1979, he passed away in White Plains, New York. At the time of his death, he held the position of artist-in-residence at the Barlow School, leaving behind a lasting legacy as a celebrated artist, illustrator, and educator.
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Categories: Arkansas, Notables | Art Instructors | United States, Artists | Perry County, Arkansas | 1910 US Census, New York County, New York | 1920 US Census, New York County, New York | 1950 US Census, New York County, New York | New York County, New York | Manhattan, New York | Notables