Willard A. Downes (Willard A. Downes)

Willard A. Downes

Artist. Born and raised in Fredericksburg, Virginia, he went to New York City, New York at age 17 to pursue a career as an artist. Having become noticed as a painter and commercial illustrator, he was commissioned by the major motion picture studios in the 1930s to do publicity sketches of the “big name” stars of that era. He was also a staff artist New York newspapers “The Herald Tribune”, the “Journal American” and “The Brooklyn Eagle”/ His illustrations appeared in many magazines such as “The Saturday Evening Post, “Life”, “Good Housekeeping” and “Collier’s”. During World War II he was a major contributor for “Yank” magazine while serving in the United States Army as a Corporal. Later in life he was also an art director at various advertising agencies and exhibited his paintings at museums and galleries. (bio by: BigFrench)

Born

  • October, 14, 1908

Died

  • November, 11, 2000
  • USA

Cemetery

  • Confederate Cemetery
  • Virginia
  • USA

2730 profile views