Maurice Sendak: Developing a Signature Style

“I feel my style is beginning to gel.”

Maurice Sendak, 1963 - By Sam Falk (The New York Times)

The art of illustrating
Is like any other art—
Which is an art of
Growing up into oneself.

Where some of my earlier books
Reflect some of the masters and painters
I admire so much.

I like to think that
Where the Wild Things Are
Comes to a kind of more myself look
Than almost anything I’ve done
Up to this day.

I can see all the various artists in it
But happily they’ve come to a blend.

Although I will always be influenced
By other artists
And always wanna be influenced
By other artists.

I feel my style is beginning to gel.

— Maurice Sendak
Weston Woods Interview (1966)