77- TASHA TUDOR!...Starling Burgess...BELOVED AMERICAN ILLUSTRATOR!...

Tasha Tudor, 1915-2008, was one of America's best-known and beloved illustrators. Her first book, "Pumpkin Moonshine", was published in 1938. She earned kudos and a huge following of admirers for her illustrated children's books. She was a silent and strong supporter of living an early American life and did so in New England all of her life. And quietly very private there.
She also was known for her general sharing of how she accomplished her artistic talents by creating special Christmas cards for many, thousands of them over her lifetime. And she, naturally, loved the season of Christmas, looking back over her lifetime of artwork and her simple lifestyle. OH MY GOSH!...forget about her "Sparrow Post" begun for her children...you can look that one up, please! Tasha, even up in the years, traveled out and about America spreading her message of sharing one's talents. People loved her wherever she ventured in her long early American dress and shawl and gentle ways. Alas, she visited Williamsburg once, but this guy, at the time, didn't know about her...duh!
I fell in like with Tasha Tudor some years back and introduced her video "Take Joy" to every Sociology class, wanting the students to make up their own minds about her way of life and art.
My suggestion? Venture to a library soon and check out "Take Joy...wait and see!
Tasha Tudor illustrated close to 100 books, the last in 2003 with "The Corgiville Christmas".
She was devoted to her own Corgis and had, at one time, as many as 13 around her Vermont home.
Her many crafts helped her excel in so many ways...cooking, canning, cheese-making, ice cream making, doll making, farm animals and her beloved flower and vegetable gardens. Did I mention her astoundingly prolific volumes of artwork?
Tash Tudor may be gone physically from American life (she passed away this year), but she has left a legacy for us to continue admiring!
Over time, have been collecting a good 26 or more of her books on eBay to enjoy and belong to her e-mail club. Suggest that you 'google' for more titles or go to eBay. Just received her last illustrated 'Corgiville Christmas' (2002) from eBay....beautiful.