Gertrude Huston

Gertrude Huston (1919 – August 26, 1998)[1] was an American artist and illustrator[2] known for designing book covers for New Directions.

After a tenure at Lucien Long in Chicago, Huston returned to New York City to work at Blaker Advertising Agency.

In his book "Literchoor Is My Beat": A Life of James Laughlin, Publisher of New Directions, Ian S. MacNiven describes Huston's book design style:"Her covers suggested the influence of Alvin Lustig but tended more toward the whimsical: for the second printing of Thomas's Portrait of the Artist as a Young Dog, she made a line drawing of a show-clipped French poodle, anglicized with a pipe and derby, sitting at a typewriter.

[4] Outside of her book design work, Huston served as the secretary of Community Board No.

Huston met New Directions founder James Laughlin at a Halloween dance party in 1945.

Book cover of Turtle Island by Gary Snyder, designed by Gertrude Huston.
Turtle Island by Gary Snyder, designed by Gertrude Huston.