Jenny Nelson

Workstation 16 (Gestural Abstract Expressionist Painting on Canvas Paper)

2023

Vertical, abstract expressionist oil painting on canvas in blue, stone blue, green and midnight blue, with pops of green, peach, and yellow on an off-white background 'What Do I know of This Place (1)' painted by Hudson Valley artist, Jenny Nelson, in 2021 Oil on canvas 20 x 16 x 2 inches, with white painted sides Excellent condition, ready to hang Signed, verso This vertical abstract expressionist oil painting was painted by Woodstock, NY based artist, Jenny Nelson, in 2021. The colorful abstract composition is completed in an expressionist style with loose and gestural brushstrokes in calming tones of stone blue, teal, and midnight blue. The contrasting patches of dusty yellow, peach, and green beautifully pop against the subtle pale beige-grey background. Color is applied in light layers which is noticeable in the faint yet visible under tones of the painting. The oil painting is unframed, with white painted sides so framing is optional. The artist's signature is located on the back of the painting. Artist Statement: My work has always been anchored in drawing. I spent years drawing and painting from life. This instilled a strong sense of space and structure. At some point I became more interested in the negative space surrounding the objects I was observing and modifying the objects themselves. I began to organically develop an abstract language, but the sense of structure and organization remained constant in the painting. I apply paint in layers using palette knives, brushes and oil sticks. I initially draw loose gestures and a variety of spontaneous marks. Often traces of previous layers remain visible, allowing colors to interact in ways I could not have anticipated. This process leaves me feeling quite lost a lot of the time, and I have had to learn to become comfortable with that feeling. This sometimes builds to frustration, and I will scrape off much of what was applied, but the result of doing this is often something wonderful that moves the painting forward. I view the painting process as a collaboration between myself and the materials. A conversation starts that has a beginning and an end, but everything in between is unpredictable. It seems at first some exciting things may show up but it’s important to disregard these first, too beautiful bursts, work over them, and develop something deeper from them. As the painting evolves, shapes and lines solidify, and I begin to see how the parts affect the whole. This way of layering, adding and subtracting, creates a history on the canvas. Shapes have a story to tell. Lines that have been obliterated and resurrected over and over again have an emotional charge. This process that started as a wild party ends up as a contemplative carefully edited composition, involving precise modifications, while hopefully leaving the life force in tact. About the artist: Jenny Nelson attended Maine College of Art in Portland Maine, and is a graduate of Bard College, where she received a scholarship to the Lacoste School of the Arts in France. She has been living in Woodstock, New York for nearly two decades, including a Residency at the Byrdcliffe Art Colony from November 2004-08. Jenny has been exhibiting for many years nationally and regionally. SELECTED EXHIBITIONS: Solo Shows: 2019 Carrie Haddad Gallery, Hudson, NY 2019 Hidell Brooks Gallery, Charlotte NC 2018 Light Waves, Hidell Brooks Gallery, Charlotte NC 2017 New Works, Carrie Haddad Gallery, Hudson NY 2016 Sailing in Place, Hidell Brooks Gallery, Charlotte NC 2013 Traveling Light, Tria Gallery, Manhattan NY 2012 New Work, Smink Modern, Dallas TX 2012 New Work, Carrie Haddad Gallery, Hudson NY 2011 Awakenings (Duo with Keun Young Park) Tria Gallery, Manhattan NY 2010 New Paintings, Chace-Randall Gallery, Andes NY 2008 Autumn Elegance, Asher Neiman Gallery, Red Bank NJ 2008 The Light Between, Chace-Randall Gallery, Andes NY 2007 New Work, Carrie Haddad Gallery, Hudson NY 2006 Of Line and Light, Chace-Randall Gallery, Andes NY 2006 Abstractions, Gallery 100, Saratoga NY 2005 Spring Collection, Coffey Gallery, Kingston NY 2005 New Work, Carrie Haddad Gallery, Hudson NY 2004 Summer, Omega Institute, Rhinebeck NY 2004 New Work, Carrie Haddad Gallery, Hudson NY 2003 Paintings from Shady, Coffey Gallery, Kingston NY 2001 Fisher Studio Art Gallery, Annandale-on-Hudson Group Exhibitions: 2018 20th Anniversary Show, Hidell Brooks Gallery, Charlotte, NC 2017 Due East: Woodstock Artists in Nantucket, Nantucket Arts Center, Nantucket, MA 2017 Composition: The Abstract Landscape, Kleinert/James Gallery, Woodstock NY 2014 Women in Abstract, Hidell Brooks Gallery, Charlotte NC 2013 Hidell Brooks Anniversary Show, Hidell Brooks Gallery, Charlotte, NC 2013 AD Boston Art Fair, Gold Gallery, Boston 2012 Contemporary Painters, Carrie Haddad Gallery Hudson, NY 2012 Featured Artist, Dragonfly Gallery, Martha's Vineyard, MA 2012 Tria Gallery Summer Exhibition, Manhattan, NY 2012 AAF NYC, Tria Gallery, Manhattan, NY 2011 Featured Artist, Dragonfly Gallery, Martha's Vineyard, MA 2011 AAF NYC, Tria Gallery, Manhattan, NY 2011 Figures and Abstractions, Carrie Haddad Gallery, Hudson NY 2010 Art Hamptons, Tria Gallery, Manhattan NY 2010 Featured Artist, Dragonfly Gallery, Martha's Vineyard MA 2009 LA Art Fair, Bryant Street Gallery, Palo Alto CA 2009 Curators Choice, Chace-Randall Gallery, Andes NY 2009 Instructors Exhibition, Woodstock School of Art, Woodstock NY 2009 Group Exhibition, Bryant Street Gallery, Palo Alto CA 2009 Small Works, Anne Irwin Fine Art, Atlanta GA 2009 Winter White, Tria Gallery, Manhattan NY 2009 Contrasts, Anne Irwin Fine Art, Atlanta GA 2009 AAF NYC Tria Gallery, Manhattan NY 2008 Summer Cocktail, Tria Gallery, Manhattan NY 2008 5"x7" Show, Kleinart-James Gallery, Woodstock NY 2007 Faculty Plus One, Columbia Greene Community College, Hudson NY 2007 Art Basel Miami, Carrie Haddad Gallery, Hudson NY 2007 One New Work, Chace-Randall Gallery, Andes NY 2007 5"x7" Show, Kleinart-James Gallery, Woodstock, NY 2006 Beach, Gallery Yellow, Cross River NY 2006 Flow, Kleinart/James Gallery, Woodstock, NY 2006 Group Exhibition, James Cox Gallery, Woodstock NY 2006 Collectors Choice, Kleinert/James Gallery, Woodstock NY 2005 Group Exhibition, Chace Randall Gallery, Andes NY 2005 Passionate About Art, Kleinert/James Gallery, Woodstock NY 2005 New Talent, Alpha Gallery, Boston MA 2004 Six Women Painters, Albert Shahinian Fine Art, Poughkeepsie NY 2004 New York Underground Art Fair, Pool Art Addict, Four Points Hotel NY 2003 Senate House Show, Kingston NY 2002 Group Exhibition, Carrie Haddad Gallery, Hudson NY Juried Exhibitions: 2004 Woodstock Artists Association, Woodstock NY 2002 Hudson Valley Artists 2002, Samuel Dorsky Museum, New Paltz NY Selected Collections: Warren Bierwirth, Paris, France Cecilia Greene, New York NY Helen Chapman, New York NY Michael & Sheila Faharty, New York NY Christopher Dlutowski, New York NY Jim & Dianne Footlicke, New York NY Laurent Gaudry, New York NY Nancy Seigal, Boca Raton FL Holli Gersh, Boca Raton FL Kenneth & Margaret Uhle, Ridgefield CT Dr. Lee Sider, Mt. Tremper NY Friedrike Merck, Woodstock NY Weston & Julia Blelock, Woodstock NY Miller Howard Investments, Woodstock NY Kingston Hospital, Kingston NY Media: Jenny Nelson, Accidental Storyteller, Carrie Haddad Gallery, 2017 Jenny Nelson's chaos, Hudson Valley One, 2017 A Conversation with Artist Jenny Nelson,, Blog Talk Radio...

Vertical, abstract expressionist oil painting on canvas in stone blue, dusty peach, green and black, against an off-white grey background 'What Do I know of This Place (5)' painted by Hudson Valley artist, Jenny Nelson, in 2021 Oil on canvas 20 x 16 x 2 inches, with white painted sides Excellent condition, ready to hang Signed, verso This vertical abstract expressionist oil painting was painted by Woodstock, NY based artist, Jenny Nelson, in 2021. The colorful abstract composition is completed in an expressionist style with loose and gestural brushstrokes in calming tones of stone blue, midnight blue, dusty peach, and green. The contrasting patches of dark yellow and forest green pop against the subtle pale beige-grey background. Color is applied in light layers which is noticeable in the faint yet visible under tones of the painting. The oil painting is unframed, with white painted sides so framing is optional. The artist's signature is located on the back of the painting. Artist Statement: My work has always been anchored in drawing. I spent years drawing and painting from life. This instilled a strong sense of space and structure. At some point I became more interested in the negative space surrounding the objects I was observing and modifying the objects themselves. I began to organically develop an abstract language, but the sense of structure and organization remained constant in the painting. I apply paint in layers using palette knives, brushes and oil sticks. I initially draw loose gestures and a variety of spontaneous marks. Often traces of previous layers remain visible, allowing colors to interact in ways I could not have anticipated. This process leaves me feeling quite lost a lot of the time, and I have had to learn to become comfortable with that feeling. This sometimes builds to frustration, and I will scrape off much of what was applied, but the result of doing this is often something wonderful that moves the painting forward. I view the painting process as a collaboration between myself and the materials. A conversation starts that has a beginning and an end, but everything in between is unpredictable. It seems at first some exciting things may show up but it’s important to disregard these first, too beautiful bursts, work over them, and develop something deeper from them. As the painting evolves, shapes and lines solidify, and I begin to see how the parts affect the whole. This way of layering, adding and subtracting, creates a history on the canvas. Shapes have a story to tell. Lines that have been obliterated and resurrected over and over again have an emotional charge. This process that started as a wild party ends up as a contemplative carefully edited composition, involving precise modifications, while hopefully leaving the life force in tact. About the artist: Jenny Nelson attended Maine College of Art in Portland Maine, and is a graduate of Bard College, where she received a scholarship to the Lacoste School of the Arts in France. She has been living in Woodstock, New York for nearly two decades, including a Residency at the Byrdcliffe Art Colony from November 2004-08. Jenny has been exhibiting for many years nationally and regionally. SELECTED EXHIBITIONS: Solo Shows: 2019 Carrie Haddad Gallery, Hudson, NY 2019 Hidell Brooks Gallery, Charlotte NC 2018 Light Waves, Hidell Brooks Gallery, Charlotte NC 2017 New Works, Carrie Haddad Gallery, Hudson NY 2016 Sailing in Place, Hidell Brooks Gallery, Charlotte NC 2013 Traveling Light, Tria Gallery, Manhattan NY 2012 New Work, Smink Modern, Dallas TX 2012 New Work, Carrie Haddad Gallery, Hudson NY 2011 Awakenings (Duo with Keun Young Park) Tria Gallery, Manhattan NY 2010 New Paintings, Chace-Randall Gallery, Andes NY 2008 Autumn Elegance, Asher Neiman Gallery, Red Bank NJ 2008 The Light Between, Chace-Randall Gallery, Andes NY 2007 New Work, Carrie Haddad Gallery, Hudson NY 2006 Of Line and Light, Chace-Randall Gallery, Andes NY 2006 Abstractions, Gallery 100, Saratoga NY 2005 Spring Collection, Coffey Gallery, Kingston NY 2005 New Work, Carrie Haddad Gallery, Hudson NY 2004 Summer, Omega Institute, Rhinebeck NY 2004 New Work, Carrie Haddad Gallery, Hudson NY 2003 Paintings from Shady, Coffey Gallery, Kingston NY 2001 Fisher Studio Art Gallery, Annandale-on-Hudson Group Exhibitions: 2018 20th Anniversary Show, Hidell Brooks Gallery, Charlotte, NC 2017 Due East: Woodstock Artists in Nantucket, Nantucket Arts Center, Nantucket, MA 2017 Composition: The Abstract Landscape, Kleinert/James Gallery, Woodstock NY 2014 Women in Abstract, Hidell Brooks Gallery, Charlotte NC 2013 Hidell Brooks Anniversary Show, Hidell Brooks Gallery, Charlotte, NC 2013 AD Boston Art Fair, Gold Gallery, Boston 2012 Contemporary Painters, Carrie Haddad Gallery Hudson, NY 2012 Featured Artist, Dragonfly Gallery, Martha's Vineyard, MA 2012 Tria Gallery Summer Exhibition, Manhattan, NY 2012 AAF NYC, Tria Gallery, Manhattan, NY 2011 Featured Artist, Dragonfly Gallery, Martha's Vineyard, MA 2011 AAF NYC, Tria Gallery, Manhattan, NY 2011 Figures and Abstractions, Carrie Haddad Gallery, Hudson NY 2010 Art Hamptons, Tria Gallery, Manhattan NY 2010 Featured Artist, Dragonfly Gallery, Martha's Vineyard MA 2009 LA Art Fair, Bryant Street Gallery, Palo Alto CA 2009 Curators Choice, Chace-Randall Gallery, Andes NY 2009 Instructors Exhibition, Woodstock School of Art, Woodstock NY 2009 Group Exhibition, Bryant Street Gallery, Palo Alto CA 2009 Small Works, Anne Irwin Fine Art, Atlanta GA 2009 Winter White, Tria Gallery, Manhattan NY 2009 Contrasts, Anne Irwin Fine Art, Atlanta GA 2009 AAF NYC Tria Gallery, Manhattan NY 2008 Summer Cocktail, Tria Gallery, Manhattan NY 2008 5"x7" Show, Kleinart-James Gallery, Woodstock NY 2007 Faculty Plus One, Columbia Greene Community College, Hudson NY 2007 Art Basel Miami, Carrie Haddad Gallery, Hudson NY 2007 One New Work, Chace-Randall Gallery, Andes NY 2007 5"x7" Show, Kleinart-James Gallery, Woodstock, NY 2006 Beach, Gallery Yellow, Cross River NY 2006 Flow, Kleinart/James Gallery, Woodstock, NY 2006 Group Exhibition, James Cox Gallery, Woodstock NY 2006 Collectors Choice, Kleinert/James Gallery, Woodstock NY 2005 Group Exhibition, Chace Randall Gallery, Andes NY 2005 Passionate About Art, Kleinert/James Gallery, Woodstock NY 2005 New Talent, Alpha Gallery, Boston MA 2004 Six Women Painters, Albert Shahinian Fine Art, Poughkeepsie NY 2004 New York Underground Art Fair, Pool Art Addict, Four Points Hotel NY 2003 Senate House Show, Kingston NY 2002 Group Exhibition, Carrie Haddad Gallery, Hudson NY Juried Exhibitions: 2004 Woodstock Artists Association, Woodstock NY 2002 Hudson Valley Artists 2002, Samuel Dorsky Museum, New Paltz NY Selected Collections: Warren Bierwirth, Paris, France Cecilia Greene, New York NY Helen Chapman, New York NY Michael & Sheila Faharty, New York NY Christopher Dlutowski, New York NY Jim & Dianne Footlicke, New York NY Laurent Gaudry, New York NY Nancy Seigal, Boca Raton FL Holli Gersh, Boca Raton FL Kenneth & Margaret Uhle, Ridgefield CT Dr. Lee Sider, Mt. Tremper NY Friedrike Merck, Woodstock NY Weston & Julia Blelock, Woodstock NY Miller Howard Investments, Woodstock NY Kingston Hospital, Kingston NY Media: Jenny Nelson, Accidental Storyteller, Carrie Haddad Gallery, 2017 Jenny Nelson's chaos, Hudson Valley One, 2017 A Conversation with Artist Jenny Nelson,, Blog Talk Radio...

Love of Solitude (Abstract Gestural Pastel Palette Vertical Oil Painting) by Ragellah Rourke 2024 oil on canvas 48 x 36 inches The sides are cleanly painted so framing is optional A...

Abstract expressionist style painting on canvas paper in teal, dark blue, and pink with accents of green 'Untitled 2 (Blue & Pink)' by Jenny Nelson Oil on canvas paper, Painted in 2016 14.5 x 10.5 inch painting in 20 x 16 inch white 8-ply mat This modern abstract expressionist oil painting was painted by Woodstock, NY based artist, Jenny Nelson, in 2016. The colorful abstract is composed of calming tones of teal and dark blue. The contrasting patches of pinks and green beautifully pop against the subtle pale pink background. Color is applied in light layers which is noticeable in the faint yet visible under tones of the painting. The oil painting includes an 20 x 16 inch 8 ply matte and is signed on the lower right hand corner. About the Artist: It is with her commitment to a lifelong, organic process that Jenny Nelson has achieved what so many artists and creatives work for; a language and a technique that is very much her own. She has wooed audiences here and abroad with consistently exquisite and balanced abstract paintings in neutral palettes of blues and grays that give way to pops of pink and orange. But to pin her as solely an abstractionist would be limiting her skill and versatility as a painter. Classically trained at Bard College, Nelson’s thorough knowledge of composition and color relationships as experienced through drawing from life are the tools that prepared her to work in abstraction and develop her technique. Nelson begins all her paintings the same way; she mixes an extensive palette of colors, preps the square canvas, and goes to town obliterating the surface with lots of color and wild gestures using oil sticks and brushes. After sitting with the discomfort and rawness that remains, Nelson turns the canvas around and around until a shape or color comes to the foreground. The next step is reductive as she blocks out bits of chaos with a solid color applied with a palette knife, oil sticks and brushes. Tension is built through the push and pull of paint as it is layered over colors and unruly forms. Nelson studies the painting at all stages of this process, waiting for it to communicate the next step until harmony and balance is achieved. Each work, with its own identity demanding attention and complete surrender to the process, may seem daunting at the onset. But Nelson is comforted by the perspective that painting is infinite and each new canvas is just one of many, therefore easing her expectations. Some pieces in this new body of work differ from previous paintings in that the abstractions are once again rooted in life. Inspired by the photographs of artist Joseph Podlesnik, Nelson uses his architectural and observational compositions as the framework for her new work. While the origins of the photographs’ subjects are not recognizable in the finished painting, she channels the energy discovered in his real-life findings to her canvas for a result that is entirely abstract. Invigorated by this approach, Nelson bravely moves forward, prepared to shift genres if that is where her journey takes her. A graduate of Bard College, Jenny Nelson also studied at the Lacoste School of the Arts in France and Maine College of Art. She completed a Residency at Byrdcliffe Art Colony from 2004 – 2008 and has exhibited regionally and nationally for many years. Nelson currently teaches workshops and an ongoing weekly class at the Woodstock School of Art. More about the artist: Jenny Nelson attended Maine College of Art in Portland Maine, and is a graduate of Bard College, where she received a scholarship to the Lacoste School of the Arts in France. She has been living in Woodstock, New York for nearly two decades, including a Residency at the Byrdcliffe Art Colony from November 2004-08. Jenny has been exhibiting for many years nationally and regionally including, Tria Gallery, Manhattan, NY; Hidell Brooks Gallery in Charlotte, North Carolina; Carrie Haddad, Hudson, NY. SELECTED EXHIBITIONS: Solo Shows: 2019 Carrie Haddad Gallery, Hudson, NY 2019 Hidell Brooks Gallery, Charlotte NC 2018 Light Waves, Hidell Brooks Gallery, Charlotte NC 2017 New Works, Carrie Haddad Gallery, Hudson NY 2016 Sailing in Place, Hidell Brooks Gallery, Charlotte NC 2013 Traveling Light, Tria Gallery, Manhattan NY 2012 New Work, Smink Modern, Dallas TX 2012 New Work, Carrie Haddad Gallery, Hudson NY 2011 Awakenings (Duo with Keun Young Park) Tria Gallery, Manhattan NY 2010 New Paintings, Chace-Randall Gallery, Andes NY 2008 Autumn Elegance, Asher Neiman Gallery, Red Bank NJ 2008 The Light Between, Chace-Randall Gallery, Andes NY 2007 New Work, Carrie Haddad Gallery, Hudson NY 2006 Of Line and Light, Chace-Randall Gallery, Andes NY 2006 Abstractions, Gallery 100, Saratoga NY 2005 Spring Collection, Coffey Gallery, Kingston NY 2005 New Work, Carrie Haddad Gallery, Hudson NY 2004 Summer, Omega Institute, Rhinebeck NY 2004 New Work, Carrie Haddad Gallery, Hudson NY 2003 Paintings from Shady, Coffey Gallery, Kingston NY 2001 Fisher Studio Art Gallery, Annandale-on-Hudson Group Exhibitions: 2018 20th Anniversary Show, Hidell Brooks Gallery, Charlotte, NC 2017 Due East: Woodstock Artists in Nantucket, Nantucket Arts Center, Nantucket, MA 2017 Composition: The Abstract Landscape, Kleinert/James Gallery, Woodstock NY 2014 Women in Abstract, Hidell Brooks Gallery, Charlotte NC 2013 Hidell Brooks Anniversary Show, Hidell Brooks Gallery, Charlotte, NC 2013 AD Boston Art Fair, Gold Gallery, Boston 2012 Contemporary Painters, Carrie Haddad Gallery Hudson, NY 2012 Featured Artist, Dragonfly Gallery, Martha's Vineyard, MA 2012 Tria Gallery Summer Exhibition, Manhattan, NY 2012 AAF NYC, Tria Gallery, Manhattan, NY 2011 Featured Artist, Dragonfly Gallery, Martha's Vineyard, MA 2011 AAF NYC, Tria Gallery, Manhattan, NY 2011 Figures and Abstractions, Carrie Haddad Gallery, Hudson NY 2010 Art Hamptons, Tria Gallery, Manhattan NY 2010 Featured Artist, Dragonfly Gallery, Martha's Vineyard MA 2009 LA Art Fair, Bryant Street Gallery, Palo Alto CA 2009 Curators Choice, Chace-Randall Gallery, Andes NY 2009 Instructors Exhibition, Woodstock School of Art, Woodstock NY 2009 Group Exhibition, Bryant Street Gallery, Palo Alto CA 2009 Small Works, Anne Irwin Fine Art, Atlanta GA 2009 Winter White, Tria Gallery, Manhattan NY 2009 Contrasts, Anne Irwin Fine Art, Atlanta GA 2009 AAF NYC Tria Gallery, Manhattan NY 2008 Summer Cocktail, Tria Gallery, Manhattan NY 2008 5"x7" Show, Kleinart-James Gallery, Woodstock NY 2007 Faculty Plus One, Columbia Greene Community College, Hudson NY 2007 Art Basel Miami, Carrie Haddad Gallery, Hudson NY 2007 One New Work, Chace-Randall Gallery, Andes NY 2007 5"x7" Show, Kleinart-James Gallery, Woodstock, NY 2006 Beach, Gallery Yellow, Cross River NY 2006 Flow, Kleinart/James Gallery, Woodstock, NY 2006 Group Exhibition, James Cox Gallery, Woodstock NY 2006 Collectors Choice, Kleinert/James Gallery, Woodstock NY 2005 Group Exhibition, Chace Randall Gallery, Andes NY 2005 Passionate About Art, Kleinert/James Gallery, Woodstock NY 2005 New Talent, Alpha Gallery, Boston MA 2004 Six Women Painters, Albert Shahinian Fine Art, Poughkeepsie NY 2004 New York Underground Art Fair, Pool Art Addict, Four Points Hotel NY 2003 Senate House Show, Kingston NY 2002 Group Exhibition, Carrie Haddad Gallery, Hudson NY Juried Exhibitions: 2004 Woodstock Artists Association, Woodstock NY 2002 Hudson Valley Artists 2002, Samuel Dorsky Museum, New Paltz NY Selected Collections: Warren Bierwirth, Paris, France Cecilia Greene, New York NY Helen Chapman, New York NY Michael & Sheila Faharty, New York NY Christopher Dlutowski, New York NY Jim & Dianne Footlicke, New York NY Laurent Gaudry, New York NY Nancy Seigal, Boca Raton FL Holli Gersh, Boca Raton FL Kenneth & Margaret Uhle, Ridgefield CT Dr. Lee Sider, Mt. Tremper NY Friedrike Merck, Woodstock NY Weston & Julia Blelock, Woodstock NY Miller Howard Investments, Woodstock NY Kingston Hospital, Kingston NY Media: Jenny Nelson, Accidental Storyteller, Carrie Haddad Gallery, 2017 Jenny Nelson's chaos, Hudson Valley One, 2017 A Conversation with Artist Jenny Nelson,, Blog Talk Radio...

This abstract oil painting by late Houston artist Dick Wray exhibits a striking kinetic energy. Thick layers of paint foster a remarkable tactility commonly found in Dick Wray’s artw...

This vibrant artwork by late Houston artist Dick Wray is an abstract oil painting in the style of abstract expressionism. Thick layers of paint foster a remarkable tactility commonly...

Murray Hantman (1904-1999). Composition, 1951. Watercolor on paper, 14 x 21 inches. Unframed. Signed lower left. Signed, dated and titled en verso. Provenance: estate of Murray Hantman. Biography: Shaped by his life experiences and a commitment to the practice of making art, the work of Murray Hantman represents a career of personal exploration and aesthetic refinement that took him from New York, to Los Angeles, back to New York and eventually to the serene, yet dramatic, coast of Maine where he worked as part of the artists’ colony on Monhegan Island. Born in Pennsylvania in 1904, Hantman’s family moved many times to follow his father’s business opportunities, eventually settling in New York. A childhood of economic instability and dislocation formed Hantman’s early years, making him independent and self-reliant from a very early age. Hantman’s father owned movie theatres and photography studios and, recognizing his son’s artistic ability, employed him to print and hand-color photographs as a child. When he was eleven and living in Michigan, a public school teacher arranged for Hantman to receive a scholarship to the Detroit Museum of Art School where after a year he was awarded another scholarship to study at the Detroit School of Design. He studied in Detroit for a year until his family abruptly moved to Alabama, interrupting his artistic and academic studies until the family moved to New York at the end of the first World War. As a young man, Hantman supported himself by working many different jobs in New York and New Jersey. Steady work with his brother at the Hartford and New Haven Railroad...

This abstract oil painting by late Houston artist Dick Wray exhibits a striking kinetic energy. Thick layers of paint foster a remarkable tactility commonly found in Dick Wray’s artw...