Michael Frary was born in Santa Monica, California on May 28, 1918. His father died when Michael was six months old. Relatives from the east moved him, his mother and siblings from California to Florida. He graduated from Palm Beach High School in 1934 and returned to California where he accepted a swimming scholarship from the University of Southern California. During his time at USC, he became a champion swimmer and captain of the USC varsity water polo team. In 1940, he graduated with a bachelor of architecture degree and a master of fine arts in painting the following year. At the outbreak of World War II, Fraryjoined the United States Navy, eventually receiving his discharge as Lieutenant at the war's conclusion in 1945. Upon his return to California, he became assistant art director first for the Goldwyn Studios, Paramount and then finally Universal Studios. His hectic lifestyle, although glamorous, did not allow him enough time to pursue his love of painting. To fulfill this need Frary began teaching night classes in painting. Shortly thereafter UCLA offered a full-time teaching position and he made a permanent break from art director to painting instructor. During his teaching career in California, Frary also taught at Los Angeles City College and the Chouinard Art Institute.
In 1949, Frary moved to Texas to serve as the artist in residence and faculty chairman for the irrepressible Marion Koogler McNay in San Antonio. He taught at her burgeoning art school for several seasons. It was during this time in San Antonio that he met Peggy Mathewson who he married in 1950. He accepted a teaching position as an assistant professor with the University of Texas at Austin, which named him Professor of Art in 1970 and upon his retirement from teaching in 1986 he was named Professor Emeritus of Art. Frary’s artwork and love for the state in which he lived for more than half a century resulted in the publication of three books: Impressions of the Big Thicket, University of Texas Press, 1973, Impressions of the Texas Panhandle, Texas A&M University Press, 1977 and Watercolors of the Rio Grande, Texas A&M University Press, 1984. Through his writing and watercolors, these books vividly convey the breadth and scope of the land that provided his inspiration. In pursuit of this inspiration, Frary and his wife, Peggy also traveled across the United States, South America, South Africa, England, Mexico, Italy and France.
During his career, Frary received over 175 awards and purchase prizes and earned over 200 one-man exhibitions. During his career spanning almost 70 years, Frary influenced the course of art, not only in Texas, but in the United States as well. He was a seminal figure in the art movement known as modernism and with his contemporaries on the faculty of the Art Department at the University of Texas, he changed the face of art on a national scale. Now widely celebrated as a Texas Modernist, Frary’s influence has also shaped the lives and careers of the countless thousands of students whom he taught both in a classroom setting and through hundreds of watercolor seminars and workshops throughout the southwest. Frary’s works are housed in 100s of private and public collections worldwide including the National Museum of American Art, Smithsonian Institute, the Los Angeles County Museum, the Santa Barbara Museum of Art, the Virginia Scott Museum, Pasadena. His works are also housed in The Springfield Museum of Art, the Virginia Museum of Fine Arts, the Phillips Petroleum Building, the Dallas Museum of Fine Art, the Panhandle-Plains Museum, Museum of the Big Bend, the Amarillo Art Center, McNay Art Museum, the Texas Instruments Collection, the Austin Museum of Art and the University of Texas at Austin.
Frary also received many important commissions, which included, among others, the selection of his painting, Antelope Country by the National Gallery for presentation by President and Mrs. Lyndon B. Johnson to the New Zealand Prime Minister and his wife at the Manila Conference. He was also commissioned in 1972 by the U.S. Department of Interior to paint at reclamation sites in four states, resulting in four of his paintings being shown at an exhibition at the National Gallery. In 1974, the Austin Chapter of the American Institute of Architects awarded Frary the Medal of Honor and the Texas Society of Architects presented him with the Citation of Honor, both in recognition of his book Impressions of The Big Thicket. In 1978, he was commissioned to paint the Psyche Prize for the Fourth Biennial International Film Festival of Canada. Frary died on Tuesday, August 30, 2005.
"NEW HORIZON" LARGE MID CENTURY MODERN ABSTRACT
By Michael Frary
Located in San Antonio, TX
Michael Frary (1918 - 2005) Austin Artist Image Size: 51 x 35 Frame Size: 59 x 43 Medium: Oil Dated 1970 "New Horizon" Biography Michael Frary (1918 - 2005) Michael Frary was born in...
Oil
"THE CLOWN" MICHAEL FRARY MID CENTURY MODERN TEXAS ARTIST
By Michael Frary
Located in San Antonio, TX
Michael Frary (1918 - 2005) Austin Artist Image Size: 16 x 12.5 Medium: Oil "The Clown" Biography Michael Frary (1918 - 2005) Michael Frary was born in Santa Monica, California on Ma...
Oil
$14,000
H 36 in W 48 in D 2 in
1994 "Dreamer's Forest" Abstract Painting on Panel William Shields
Located in Arp, TX
William Stephens Shields, Jr., 1925 - 2010 "Dreamer's Forest" 1994 Oil on panel 48"x36" artist framed Signed lower right William Stephens Shields, Jr., 1925 - 2010 He was born in san Francisco, in 1931, Bill moved to Texas, where he grew up. Moved to New York in 1940 and later joined the Naval Air Corps at the age of 18. He served as an Aviation Cadet in the U.S. Navy from 1943 to 1945. At the end of WWII, Bill returned to Texas. At 21, Bill re-focused his energy and enrolled in the Chicago Academy of Fine Art as an Illustration major. What followed was a whirlwind of success, great friendships and a sense of belonging he had never before experienced. Art was his calling and the art-world could not have been less prepared for the likes of Bill Shields. He took them by storm, first Houston, then San Francisco, followed by New York in the late 60's. For 35 years, Bill produced some of the country's best illustrations: fresh, playful, loose and innovative. His illustrations were coveted by such clients as Bantam Books, Time Life, MacMillan Publishing Co., and were awarded numerous gold medals by the Societies of Illustrators in New York, San Francisco and Los Angeles, and the Houston Artists Guild. Later, following inspirational trips to Mexico and France, Bill shifted his attention to the self-directed world of fine art. After years of sculpting, making assemblages, painting nudes and landscapes, he settled on the exploration of large abstract oil paintings. His paintings have been exhibited in galleries in San Francisco, Connecticut and New York. CV EDUCATION: Chicago Academy Of Fine Art San Antonio Art Institute MAJOR FIELDS OF PROFESSIONAL ENDEAVOR: Freelance graphic design and illustration Instructor of painting and illustration Landscape, figurative and abstract painting ART RELATED EMPLOYMENT: (Professor of Art) California College of Arts and Crafts, Oakland, CA Academy of Art College, San Francisco, CA San Francisco Art Institute San Jose State University AWARDS FOR ILLUSTRATION, Gold Medals: New York Society of Illustrators Los Angeles Society of Illustrators San Francisco Society of Illustrators Dallas-Fort Worth Art Director's Club Houston Artist's Guild BIBLIOGRAPHY: Feature articles in: American Artist, Communication Arts, Print, North Light. Architectural design featured in: Better Homes and Gardens, American Home, Sunset Magazine, Architectural Digest. ILLUSTRATION CLIENTS: Oil Companies: Champlin Oil Company, Mobil Oil Company, Continental Oil Company, Standard Oil Company, Humble Oil and Refining Company. Industrial: Hughes Tool Company, General Electric, United States Steel, Phelps Dodge, Sylvania Television, Texas Gulf Sulphur, Litton Industries, Houston Lighting and Power Company...
Oil, Panel
$1,450
H 20.5 in W 13.5 in D 1.75 in
George Cecil Carter Abstract Figurative Oil Painting Mid Century Modern
Located in Denver, CO
A striking mid-century modern abstract figurative oil on canvas painting by British artist George Cecil Carter, dating to the 1950s. The composition blends figure and abstraction, cr...
Oil
$950
H 11 in W 12.75 in D 1.25 in
A Colorful, Dynamic 1930s Modern Boxing Scene by Chicago Artist Francis Chapin
By Francis Chapin
Located in Chicago, IL
A Colorful, Dynamic 1930s Modern Boxing Scene by Notable Chicago Artist, Francis Chapin. Artwork size: 2 3/4 x 4 inches, oil on Masonite mounted to original board; accompanied wit...
Masonite, Oil
$2,655
H 28 in W 22 in D 3 in
Mid-Century Modern Abstract Geometric Trapeze Artists by Hilda Arp
By Hilda Arp
Located in Soquel, CA
Fanciful mid-century modern abstract of trapeze artists by Brooklyn artist Hilda Dora Pape Arp (b. 1909). This 1962 highly abstracted depiction of trape...
Oil, Linen
$8,000
H 31 in W 39.5 in
"Cubist Landscape" Albert Heckman, American Modernist, Fractured Landscape
By Albert Heckman
Located in New York, NY
Albert Heckman Cubist Landscape Signed lower right Oil on canvas 21 3/4 x 30 inches Albert Heckman was born in Meadville, Western Pennsylvania, 1893. He went to New York City to tr...
Canvas, Oil
Head to Sea, Modernist sailing scene
By Ralph Eugene Della-Volpe
Located in New York, NY
A vibrant and yet romantic sailing scene which was a favorite series by Della-Volpe. His compelling colorist approach has made his works desirable as he was one of the few artists post-war to be representative in style like Milton Avery and Wolf Kahn. Head to Sea has the hallmark intense and lovely coloration for which Della-Volpe is known. He came out of Abstract Expressionism in the New York school but then pivoted, like Milton Avery to representational, colorist work. The frame is a silvered gold leaf float frame of quality and has a rubbed, antiqued surface...
Oil, Board
$975Sale Price|35% Off
H 26 in W 20 in D 0.5 in
Conjuring Spirits (Jungle Drums)
By Thomas Hart Benton
Located in Wilton Manors, FL
Dynamic jungle drummer scene by unknown NYC American artist. Oil on canvas measuring 20 x 26 inches. Signed "T 42" in ink on verso. Anco stretchers and Grumbacher NYC store stamp con...
Oil
$950
H 11 in W 12.5 in D 1 in
A Colorful, 1950s Mid-Century Modern Pool Hall Scene
By Francis Chapin
Located in Chicago, IL
A Vibrant, Colorful, 1950s Mid-Century Modern Pool Hall Scene by Notable Chicago Artist, Francis Chapin. Artwork size: 6 3/4" x 8 1/2", Oil on Masonite, Framed size: 11" x 12 1/2"....
Masonite, Oil
$1,600
H 23.25 in W 11.75 in D 2 in
A Dynamic 1960s Mid-Century Modern Boxing Scene of a Standing Prize Fighter
Located in Chicago, IL
A Dynamic, Expressive 1960s Mid-Century Boxing Scene of a Standing Prize Fighter by Notable Chicago Modern Artist, Rudolph T. Pen. This energetic sporting scene, painted in the 1960...
Canvas, Oil
Untitled
Located in Buffalo, NY
An unsigned mid century modern American abstract painting
Board, Illustration Board, Oil
$3,500
H 24 in W 18 in
20th C. Figurative Abstract Painting Cleveland School African American Artist
By Beni E. Kosh
Located in Beachwood, OH
Beni E. Kosh/Charles Elmer Harris (American, 1917-1993) Untitled Oil on canvas board Estate stamped #611 verso 24 x 18 inches Charles Elmer Harris was born in 1917 in Cleveland, Oh...
Oil
$6,400Sale Price|20% Off
H 29 in W 41 in
"Backstage, Ambassador" Broadway Theatre NYC Mid-century Modern Modernist Cubist
By Sam Norkin
Located in New York, NY
"Backstage, Ambassador" Broadway Theatre NYC Mid-century Modern Modernist Cubist Sam Norkin (1917-2011) Backstage, The Ambassador 24 x 36 inches oil ...
Canvas, Oil
Sold
H 53 in W 71 in D 3 in
"TOTEMIC SHAPES" LARGE MID CENTURY MODERN ABSTRACT OF TOTEM POLES
By Michael Frary
Located in San Antonio, TX
Michael Frary (1918 - 2005) Austin Artist Image Size: 47.25 x 65.5 Frame Size: Medium: Oil "Totemic Shapes" "New Horizon" Biography Michael Frary (1918 - 2005) Michael Frary was bo...
Oil
" RED PALACE TUNIS " MID CENTURY MODERN
By Michael Frary
Located in San Antonio, TX
Michael Frary (1918 - 2005) Austin Artist Image Size: 36 x 47 Frame Size: 44 x 55 Medium: Oil "Red Palace Tunis" Biography Michael Frary (1918 - 2005)...
Oil
Sold
H 15 in W 12 in D 2 in
" YELLOW DOOR " ABSTRACTION CROOKED ROOM MID CENTURY MODERN
By Michael Frary
Located in San Antonio, TX
Michael Frary (1918 - 2005) Austin Artist Image Size: 15 X 12 Frame Size: 15.25 x 12.25 Medium: Oil 1950 "Yellow Door" Biography Michael Frary (1918 - 2005...
Oil
Sold
H 26.5 in W 26.5 in D 1.75 in
Abstract Impressionist Facade with Windows Painting
By Michael Frary
Located in Houston, TX
Neutral tonal abstract impressionist painting of a facade with windows by artist Michael Frary. The work is signed by the artist and is framed in a silver wooden frame. Dimensions wi...
Acrylic
"The Old Man" Mid Century Modern Texas Painting
By Michael Frary
Located in San Antonio, TX
Michael Frary (1918 - 2005) Austin, Texas/California Artist Image Size: 20 x 15 Frame Size: 26 x 21 Medium: Gouache Dated: 1950 "The Old Man" From the Frary Estate Biog...
Gouache
Sold
H 21.5 in W 27.5 in D 1 in
Red Sunset Abstract, Pointillist Painting
By Michael Frary
Located in Houston, TX
Red abstract sunset painting that incorporates impressionist and pointillism techniques by artist Michael Frary. Signed by the artist. Artist...
Egg Tempera, Gouache