An early article (August 27, 1966) about Joseph Papin talks about his work drawing on-the-scene at the Mayo Clinic and the Washington DC book that he illustrated, as well as his career up to that point. I have transcribed the text in the main article below:
“Area artist on Festival panel
By Nancy Wood Hall, The Evening News
“With his eyes on reality and pen in hand, Joseph Papin has devoted his life to preserving on paper the world’s daily happenings.
“He is not a writer. He is a master of the old saying, “One picture is worth a thousand words,” with his drawings that cover everything from the inauguration of presidents, the opening of Lincoln Center to the middle class housewife trotting to the store bedecked in hair curlers.
“A blend of humorous words and much wisdom, the freelance artist has been doing and enjoying his work as an illustrator since 1957 when he landed his first big position. That was with Harper’s Magazine. He drew lively animations for an article, “The Great [Gay] Old Lady,” about the New York Times.
“With nine years under his belt as a professional illustrator, he has done an unending amount of on-the-scene drawings and his illustrated more than 21 books. His drawings have appeared in Harper’s, BusinessWeek, Newsweek, the Reporter, Car and Driver, Opera News, HiFi and Stereo, Playboy, and many other magazines.
“In 1965, the board of governors of the Mayo Clinic in Rochester, Minn., allowed Papin to draw, on the scene, daily occurrences, within the clinic. This is the first in the history of the clinic. Never before was an artist or photographer allowed to step through the doors of the clinic for press purposes.
“In the December 11th issue in 1965, BusinessWeek wrote an article on the clinic and divided nine pages to Papin’s vivacious drawings.
“Gently probing toward the weakened vessel Doctor pauses to ask if I can see and understand what he is doing.”
“The 21st book Papin illustrated was put on the shelves this year. The book, titled Washington, D.C., written by James Playsted Wood, was published by The Seabury Press, New York.
“Combining these with many more months of research and drawing, he illustrated Wood’s words in such a way in such an admirable way, a person feels a part of the history, daily rush extraordinary instances Wood relates about the cosmopolitan city.
“The majestic beauty and dignity of the statues and monuments erected in the nation’s capital are illustrated by Joseph Papin (top of page) in the book “Washington DC.” The artist depicts the Lincoln Memorial (above) through the springtime beauty of the cherry blossoms. Washington is a mixture of people from all over the world, doing their job, expressing their opinions. Strikes for peace with picket lines trim the sidewalks of the city with singers and preachers everywhere, as illustrated by Papin (below).
“The father of four children ranging in age from 2 to 9, he resides with his wife in the township.
“Born in St. Louis, Mo., he graduated from Ohio State University.
“On Sept. 10 and 11, Papin will be one of three judges of the 1966 New Jersey Fall Festival of Arts. Other judges are Donald Delue, internationally known sculptor of Leonardo [NJ] and Hans Weingaertner of Bellevue [NJ], whose works are included in the permanent collections of the Montclair Art Museum and the Newark Museum. Delue created the “Rocket Thrower” for the World’s Fair. Weingaertner is included in “Who’s Who in American Art.”
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