Illustration of child in boat with shark jumping out of water.

Petra Mathers

Petra Mathers (1945-2024) was a self-taught artist who employed simple forms to create a distinctive folk-art style. German born, she moved to the U.S. as a young adult and settled in Oregon. Mathers illustrated more than 40 children’s books, including her popular series about Lottie, an amiable chicken, and her circle of avian friends. Her animal characters demonstrate both compassion and humor, their foibles and friendships serving as metaphors for human bonds.

The Museum’s collection includes over 500 original works by Mathers, all generously donated by the artist. In 2019, Mathers returned to The Carle to handwrite text from her books on her illustrations, which was her preference. The Carle has honored Mathers with two solo exhibitions, Petra Mathers: Lottie’s New Beach Towel (2004) and Petra Mathers: Lottie’s New Friend (2009), and has featured her art in numerous group shows.

Illustration of chicken throwing red beach towel.

Lottie’s New Beach Towel is the first book in Mather’s popular series about Lottie, an amiable chicken from Oregon, and her many feathered friends. Discover the many uses that Lottie and her friend Herbie, a delightful duck, find for a red spotted beach towel.

Illustration of chickens on boat with pink bird.

When Lottie makes friends with the elegant Dodo, her new neighbor from Germany, her old buddy Herbie grows jealous. It is a feeling familiar to children everywhere. Mather’s illustration anticipates the stability of friendship as Herbie and Lottie visually balance each other in the boat as they make room for one more.

Illustration of chicken looking in mail box and in another frame lying on sofa chair.

Illustration of chicken with pink bird hugging and pink bird in bathtub.

Illustration of duck on stage with pink cake.

Illustration of duck speeding on blue car in country landscape.

Illustration of animals with balloons at party in backyard.

Illustration of two girls hugging and walking through busy village.

With bright colors and unique perspectives, Mathers envisions the rural town of Saintes-Maries-de-la-Mer in southern France. She illustrates the life and legacy of two French teenagers—Marie and Marie—who enact good deeds as spirits after their untimely deaths. It is a tragic yet heartwarming tale rooted in faith and local legend.

Illustration of two girls in canoe rowing through clouds.

Illustration of cat playing fiddle and cow jumping over the moon.

The 18th-century nonsensical nursery rhyme “Hey Diddle Diddle” is arguably one of the most famous. Mathers paints her interpretation in gentle watercolors.

Hey diddle diddle,
The cat and the fiddle,
The cow jumped over the moon;
The little dog laughed
To see such sport,
And the dish ran away with the spoon.

Illustration of children playing on snowy hillside.

Illustration of group of animals together in landscape.

Illustration of chicken looking out window and parking lot.

Illustration of chicken looking in alligator's mouth with flashlight.

Illustration of rural hillside next to ocean.

Featured Artists

Petra Mathers

A self-taught artist, Petra Mathers developed a distinctive folk-art style. Her more than 40 children’s books feature animal characters whose foibles and friendships encourage compassion and humor. Photograph © Portland Art Museum.

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