winter by creek

Beautiful original vintage watercolor by famous Chicago artist Edward Walaitis of winter landscape scene. 

Edward Walaitis was a self-taught artist whose professional work graced different mediums, from greeting cards to the Chicago Tribune Magazine.

He received many awards for his watercolors, from cityscapes to carousel horses. "He was known for his versatility of subjects," said daughter Maria Walaitis Barrett.

Mr. Walaitis, 91, of New Buffalo, Mich., and formerly of Barrington, who once directed the Tribune's advertising art department, died Friday, Feb. 25, in his home of natural causes.

In the early 1940s he moved to Chicago and worked for Montgomery Ward as an artist. He later did freelance work. In 1945, the year he married his wife, Marcia, Mr. Walaitis joined the advertising art department of the Tribune. He later became its director. He also spent 15 years in the editorial art department.