Joseph Papin specialized in reportorial art – on-the-scene drawing – the artist as reporter. He illustrated Washington, covering legislation in the House and Senate, and all the activities of a Presidential inauguration. He covered most of the major U.S. trials for over two decades, the Watergate hearings, the United Nations, and a spectrum of events, large and small.
A freelance artist since 1957, Joe Papin’s work appeared in USIA’s American Illustrated, Harper’s, Newsweek, Business Week, The Reporter, American Heritage, Forbes, Playboy, The National Review and a host of specialty magazines. Among newspapers he contributed to The Herald Tribune, The New York Times, and worked on staff at The New York Daily News, where his reportorial drawings depicted the major trials for over twenty years. He illustrated over forty-five adult and children’s books, lectured at colleges and for professional societies, gave many demonstrations, and had numerous shows, including one that traveled the U.S. for over two years. He was the recipient of seven Page One Awards for graphic excellence in journalism and the New York Press Club Art Award for Reportorial Art/Courtrooms: Outstanding Artist of the Year.
Joe Papin started as artist working his way through Ohio State University, made training films for the Army Signal Corps, and represented himself as a freelance artist for thirteen years, “thereby receiving another sort of education and just frequently enough some nice commissions, books to illustrate, and challenges to grow on.” In 1969, he was invited to join the Daily News and worked to develop, enlarge, and reassert the place of the documentary artist in news coverage. For example, along with over 125 journalists and cameramen (still and T.V.), he covered the Hearst trial in San Francisco. He filed more than 400 drawings with the News, 3,000 miles away, over a portable telecopier (maximum size, 8” x 10”), the majority of which were used in the paper.
Joe Papin’s work encompassed the areas usually covered by photographers. He drew U.N. scenes, military and international subjects, concerts, parades, horse races, hospital emergency rooms and thousands of street scenes. His first love and compelling interest was drawing on-the-scene, where history happens.
Born: September 7, 1931
Died: March 9, 1992
A freelance artist since 1957, Joe Papin’s work appeared in USIA’s American Illustrated, Harper’s, Newsweek, Business Week, The Reporter, American Heritage, Forbes, Playboy, The National Review and a host of specialty magazines. Among newspapers he contributed to The Herald Tribune, The New York Times, and worked on staff at The New York Daily News, where his reportorial drawings depicted the major trials for over twenty years. He illustrated over forty-five adult and children’s books, lectured at colleges and for professional societies, gave many demonstrations, and had numerous shows, including one that traveled the U.S. for over two years. He was the recipient of seven Page One Awards for graphic excellence in journalism and the New York Press Club Art Award for Reportorial Art/Courtrooms: Outstanding Artist of the Year.
Joe Papin started as artist working his way through Ohio State University, made training films for the Army Signal Corps, and represented himself as a freelance artist for thirteen years, “thereby receiving another sort of education and just frequently enough some nice commissions, books to illustrate, and challenges to grow on.” In 1969, he was invited to join the Daily News and worked to develop, enlarge, and reassert the place of the documentary artist in news coverage. For example, along with over 125 journalists and cameramen (still and T.V.), he covered the Hearst trial in San Francisco. He filed more than 400 drawings with the News, 3,000 miles away, over a portable telecopier (maximum size, 8” x 10”), the majority of which were used in the paper.
Joe Papin’s work encompassed the areas usually covered by photographers. He drew U.N. scenes, military and international subjects, concerts, parades, horse races, hospital emergency rooms and thousands of street scenes. His first love and compelling interest was drawing on-the-scene, where history happens.
Born: September 7, 1931
Died: March 9, 1992