Naiad and Walter Einsel. Illustrators in union of the heart.

There’s a fabulous insight into the husband and wife team of Naiad and Walter Einsel

featured on the great blog of Leif Peng that I’ve mentioned previously called ‘ Today’s Inspiration’

It’s a great way to celebrate Valentines Day as the couple remained together for nearly five decades

and instead of buying valentines they made each other heart inspired sculptures and illustrations.

Naiad met Walter on April 26, 1952, when he was working as an art director at NBC

and she held the same position at CBS. He proposed three weeks later. They married the next year,

and spent 46 more years together raising two daughters and collaborating on art projects.

They were the first husband-and-wife team to create stamp designs for the U.S. Postal Service,

and in 1979 they were commissioned to create the AT&T Age of Information Center exhibition

at Disney World’s EPCOT Center in Florida that features 55 intricately designed figures

with movable parts.

Regarding their working method, which Naiad called “leapfrogging” she wrote,

“This was especially useful when one or both of us was under pressure of a heavy work load.

First we’d sit down and verbally consult, brainstorming ideas. Then I’d draw a little sketch

and Walter would add to that and we’d go on and on in this way, refining all the time.”

The Einsels would sign the finished piece according to who received the assignment.

Last year both Naiad and Walter were inducted into the Society of Illustrators’ Hall of Fame,

It really seems appropriate that it happened at the same time !

More info here.

I don’t know if anyone else remembers a strange British cartoon made in the 1970’s called

Crystal Tipps and Alistair but it reminds me a little of the Einsel’s work.

Perhaps it’s the rosy cheeks lol