Will Grefe (1875 – 1957) (27 works)

Will Grefe (1875 - 1957) - American illustrator.

His abilities began to manifest themselves at an early age. At the age of 15, Will got a job with publishers in a printing house. The owners soon saw the teenager’s talent and began commissioning him to do work for catalogues, leaflets, etc. At the age of 17, Grefe went to study in New York. After graduation, Will felt the need for further training and went to France for several months. Then, not satisfied with his knowledge, the young man moved to Germany, where he met a teacher of a level who met his requirements. Will entered the academy in Munich and took private lessons.

After graduating, Grefe returned to America, where he began to work a lot. Having collected a small album, he sent everything to the editor of the Saturday Evening Post. Having seen his work, a rather influential person from the publication promised him a huge number of orders and success, advising him to become an independent illustrator. So, with $75.00, he headed to New York and opened his own studio, working for the Evening Post and then for Life, Puck, Scribner's, Judge. Later illustrations appeared for McClures, Ladies Home Journal, Cosmopolitan, Redbook, etc. He became the author of many covers for popular illustrated publications of the time.

In addition to magazines, the artist created custom postcards, calendars, playing cards and other works. In 1917, he began to try his hand at animated films, but compared to advertising, this activity was unprofitable, and the author opted for advertising activities.
For quite a long time, Grefe was involved in real estate, but one day the project “burst” and he had to return to his profession.
In 1029, Will reopens his studio in New York and begins working. Having earned a small capital, the artist and his family move to Miami, where he opens another studio. His work was noticed, and quite large companies and famous people began to acquire it, and the author became in demand again.