WOOF - 50 Women Over 50: Sandra Boynton

She claims Philadelphia’s where she grew up, if indeed she ever really did.

And aren’t we glad she probably didn’t. Grow up, that is.

Since 1975, a couple years after she first began designing cards which she sweet-talked her uncle into printing, Sandra Boynton has delighted millions with simple greetings that speak volumes. (Bet more than a few of you remember opening an envelope with cake-icing-coated fingers and smiling to “Hippo Birdie Two Ewes.”)

So why, you ask, does a woman who “plays” with pictures and simple ideas deserve the coveted WOOFer Wednesday Award?!?!

Because she’s been true to herself for half a century. Yep. She dared to drop out of Berkeley and Yale, of all things! And instead of taking the road more traveled, she went with a career that felt right for her. And she's even said it never occurred to her that she might fail. On her website she writes:

“I choose the projects I do and products I design somewhat at whim, and only if there’s a company that looks interesting to work with. I only 'license' what I can develop and design myself, rather than letting companies adapt my characters according to their own sense and sensibility. I have no agent, no business manager, no contracts attorney. This is a rather haphazard way to do things, but it’s more fun than an actual plan. Since I’m not sufficiently committed to Optimizing Market Potential, I seem to be a bewilderment and, one hopes, a minor annoyance to many.”

Oh, Ms Boynton, we can’t imagine you’d ever annoy anyone with your happy, humble humor. Ewe Quack Us Up!

Photo: Jamie McEwan

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