Sometimes I forget all the wonderful books I have until I slow down and peruse the shelves and discover old treasures anew, like this one.

It’s a 1960 copy of Margot Austin’s Church Mouse Stories. I found this in a thrift store a few years ago. I remember being amazed at the soft and stylized depiction of her characters. What a wonderful example of stipling.

I don’t know much about Margot Austin.

I know that she was born in Portland, Oregon and attended the National Academy of Design in New York. Between 1938 and1963 she illustrated 27 books and contributed to many magazines.

There is so much to be learned from the artists before us.

Click to enlarge