Wallace Whitney Tripp

Wallace will always be my favorite illustrator. I've always enjoyed his books over the years and also his wonderful greeting cards. I attended Mass College of Art back in the 70s and I recall a class outing to one of his shows which I think was at the Boston Public Library. I was wowed by his talent and the impression it left on me as a budding illustrator.

Wallace was one of the most gifted artists. His wonderful illustrations inspired me and I'm sure other young artists starting out in the field of illustration. While attending art school in Boston many years ago, our class went on a "field trip" to attend one of his shows. As I recall, it might have been at the Boston Public Library. Such extraordinary talent!

So sad to hear about Wally. Such a wonderful write up about his life! I will check out his work for sure!
I overheard staff at Scott-Farrar last night mention Wally's passing. I met Wally when visiting my mother at Scott-Farrar. I also met Rita there, and heard a brief story of their reconnection as high school sweethearts.
When my son came with his 2 year old son to visit grandma/greatgrandma, we had lunch with everyone. Wally came out to lunch with his Spider Man shirt on and...

We loved when Wally would come up to the Inn on Saturday nights with Rita - and laugh along with us in our tales of Francestown. Although he could not speak, that special twinkle in his eyes said it all!

I have loved this man's work for a long, long, time, looked at his images over and over - even tried to emulate it a couple of times - to no avail! I was happy to read about the things that made him laugh - I find the same things funny, too. RIP, Mr. Tripp - may I call you Wally? You've given so much and I thank you.

Dear Mr. Wallace Tripp, or his drawings at least, influenced my entire life. I remember reading "A Great Big, Ugly Man..." when I was very, very young (probably only about 4 years old), and the illustrations therein proved to be the most interesting tales of all! The crumbling bridge, the lion-bartender, the Slithergadee... these all were rendered with such humor, grace, and delicacy! His art colored my childhood with amusement and shenanigans. It was pretty, darn wonderful.
My sympathy...

Marguerite Go Wash Your Feet has been our family's go-to present for young children for 30 years. Our own children knew everything in it off by heart, thanks to the brilliant, charming, illustrations. We never got tired of it. What a remarkable wit and vision. The final page, with Prospero throwing his book ("not a liberry book") into the ocean seems a fitting memorial for Wallace Tripp.

I was so sorry to hear of his passing and his struggles with Parkinson's Disease.
I have loved and collected Wallace Tripp illustrated books since I discovered A Great Big Ugly Man Came Up and Tied His Horse to Me when it first came out. As Art Director for Tower Records San Francisco, I even used his characters from Stand Back I'm Going To Sneeze in a store display once.
He brought much joy to many who loved his art and his sense of humor that came through each of his drawings.

I have a number of Wally's beautifully illustrated books. When I was an Illustration major at mass College of Art many years ago, we visited the Boston Public Library where his work was on display. I've been an admirer of his incredible talent since then. I had just read the full obituary and you can clearly see what a rich, full life Wally lived. He will be missed.