John Offutt

'Organic Abstraction in Aqua and Rose', Very Large American School Abstract Oil

1987

Signed verso, 'Barr' for Charles Barr (American, 1929-2019); additionally inscribed and painted circa 1965. From the Pittsburgh Post-Gazette, 2019: CHARLES "CHUCK" BARR Age 89, of Highland Park, graduated from human life on August 11. Although no headlines marked the event, he was a great man. People ranging from fellow Pittsburghers to New York art collectors have known Chuck as a wonderful self-taught artist and creative jazz musician. But above all, everyone touched by his joy knew him as a carrier of the Great Spirit. Ten minutes with Chuck could do more than make your day. It could open your heart to the boundless possibilities that life offers, if only we live from love. Chuck was raised in a working-class musical family in Beechview. Leaving home as a teenager to play tenor sax in a Chicago nightclub alongside brother, Tommy, a pianist, he burned out on the late-night routine. He then spent years trying to fit into so-called normal society, working various jobs in places from Yokohama (with the U.S. Army) to Philadelphia. Around 1969, Chuck returned to Pittsburgh to rediscover his calling and became a local legend. A Post-Gazette article dubbed him the city's "rambling minstrel" for his sax and flute recitals in public. College-trained artists marveled at the dynamic, visually musical paintings...

Signed lower right, 'Nira Moblad' ( American, 1920-1993) and dated 1964; additionally signed verso. A substantial and dynamic, semi-abstracted oil still-life of Lilies and Honeysuck...

This exceptional artwork is currently on display and available for sale at Signet Contemporary Art Gallery and online. Experience the whimsical and mystical beauty of "Our Silence i...

Oil on canvas Signed verso