stˈʌdiɪŋ ɪn nˈuː jˈɔːɹk æt ðɪ ˈɑːɹt stˈuːdənts lˈiːɡ, ɡˈɑːdwɪn bɪkˌeɪm fɹˈɛndz wɪð dʒˈeɪmz mɑːntɡˈɑːmɚɹi flˈæɡ ænd tˈuː ʃˈɛɹd ɐ stˈuːdɪˌoʊ təɡˈɛðɚ.
Studying in New York at the Art Students League, Godwin became friends with James Montgomery Flagg and two shared a studio together.