Continental School Abstract Paintings

"Spirit" a bold and thoughtful cubist oil on canvas was painted in December of 2001 by African American artist William (Bill) Cooper. William Y. Cooper was a writer, painter, muralist, illustrator, and art teacher. He moved to Western New York in 1954 from Birmingham, Alabama, to pursue work, and Buffalo has been his home ever since. In 1975, he received his Bachelor of Fine Arts degree from the University at Buffalo; he was also a state certified art teacher. Cooper woked primarily in oils and acrylics, but also creates drawings on paper. He has painted several commissioned murals and has had more than fifteen one-man shows in Western New York and Ghana, West Africa, and has participated in more than twenty-five group exhibitions since he began his professional career in 1969. His paintings and drawings address both his African heritage and his experience as an American through symbolism and metaphor. He observes, “I am an Afrocentric artist. My worldview is rooted in an African frame of reference and a deep, abiding sense of the creator from whence I draw my inspiration, strength, and a sense of who I am. The use of symbols allows me to explore literal ideas.” Among Cooper’s published works are two children’s books, 77 Jackson Street, Rear and Nakai and the Red Shoes, and a novel for adults, The Mopane Tree. Cooper founded the Afrocentric Artists’ Collective and ran the organization from 1979 to 1981. In 2013 he was designated a “Living Legacy” artist by the Burchfield Penney Arts Center, the latest in a series of honors which has also included awards from the Arts Council of Buffalo & Erie County, the New York State Council on the Arts, and Alpha Kappa Alpha...

This abstracted figure painting by Juniper Briggs is made with mixed media on Arches paper with deckle edges. It features a vibrant, contrasting palette...

This abstracted figure painting by Juniper Briggs is made with mixed media on cold pressed paper with deckle edges. It features a warm contrasting yellow-gold and pink palette with a...

This abstracted figure painting by Juniper Briggs is made with mixed media on cold pressed paper with deckle edges. It features an abstracted woman in a patterned brown and blue dres...

Anita Payró (Argentine, 1897 - 1980) was born into a culturally sophisticated family. Her father, Roberto J. Payró, was a noted writer and war correspondent, and her brother Julio Pa...

This abstracted figure painting by Juniper Briggs is made with mixed media on Arches paper with deckle edges. It features a warm, contrasting palette an...

Signed lower right, 'Paula Melcher' (American, 20th century) and dated 1956.

From the estate of Jerry Opper & Ruth Friedmann Opper Yellow Cubist FIgure c. 1940-1950's Gouache 15" x 18", silver wood frame 16"x19" Unsigned This striking gouache painting featur...

This abstracted figure painting by Juniper Briggs is made with mixed media on cold pressed paper with deckle edges. It features a warm, contrasting palette and captures an abstracted...

This abstracted figure painting by Juniper Briggs is made with mixed media on Arches paper with deckle edges. It features a vibrant, contrasting palette...

Promenade dans le Médoc Acrylic on cardboard 24 x 19 cm (unframed) Signature: Lower right Condition: Excellent, presented in a gilded wooden frame with linen inlay In Promenade dan...

This abstracted figure painting by Juniper Briggs is made with mixed media on cold pressed paper with deckle edges. It features a vibrant contrasting orange and blue palette with an ...