Michael Kotasek Art

A painter who has lived amid and loved the subject matter of his art, Jorgensen’s pictures of the Yosemite Valley and the Missions of California are monuments of early art in this co...

This mural study is part of our exhibition America Coast to Coast: Artists of the 1930s Industry and Commerce, 1936, tempera on panel, 16 ½ x 39 ½ inches, signed verso “John Ballator, Portland Ore.” provenance includes: J.C. Penney Company, represented by Russell Tether Fine Arts Assoc.; presented in a newer wood frame About the Painting Industry and Commerce is a prime example of WPA Era muralism. Like a Mediaeval alter, this mural study is filled with icons, but the images of saints and martyrs are replaced with symbols of America's gospel of prosperity through capitalism. Industry and Commerce has a strong narrative quality with vignettes filling the entire surface. Extraction, logistics, design, power generation, and manufacturing for printing, chemicals, automobiles and metal products are all represented. To eliminate any doubt about the mural's themes, Ballator letters a description into the bottom of the study. Ballator also presents an idealized version of industrial cooperation, as his workers, lab-coated technicians and tie-wearing managers work harmoniously toward a common goal in the tidy and neatly designed environments. Although far from the reality of most industrial spaces, Ballator's study reflects the idealized and morale boosting tone that many mural projects adopted during the Great Depression. About the Artist John R Ballator achieved success as a muralist, lithographer, and teacher during the Great Depression. Born in Oregon, he studied at the Portland Museum Art School, the University of Oregon and at Yale University where he received a Bachelor of Fine Art. In 1936, Ballator was commissioned to paint a mural panel for the new Department of Justice Building in Washington DC, an important project that spanned five years with several dozen artists contributing a total of sixty-eight designs. Ballator completed murals for the St. Johns Post Office and Franklin High School, both in Portland, Oregon. He also contributed to the 1938 murals at Nathan Hale School in New Haven, Connecticut. During the late 1930s, Ballator taught art for several years at Washburn College in Topeka, Kanas, where he completed a mural for the Menninger Arts & Craft Shop before accepting a professorship at Hollins College...

Reindeer In Forest Tempera on silk, gold leaf frame under glass, by Chinese artist Ma Hai Feng born 1958.

Man Working Mid 20th Century American Scene Social Realism Industrial WPA Modern Jo Cain (1904 - 2003) Telephone Pole Worker 38 1/4 x 18 1/2 inches Oil on pap...

"Tobacco Road" Mid 20th Century Realism 1940 Drawing from the Novel WPA Literary 19 1/4 x 11 1/2 (sight), Signed David Fredenthal lower right. Framed by ...

Bridge Painter WPA American Modernism Mid 20th-Century Realism Industrial Worker Louis Wolchonok (1898 – 1973) The Bridge Painter Watercolor on paper 18 x 22 inches Estate stamped v...

Industrial Landscape Contemporary American Watercolor Magic Realism 20th Century Henry Koerner (1915-1991) J&L Oxygen Plant 18 x 24 1/2 inches Watercolo...

This charming rural winter scene of ice skaters fully displays Norman Rockwell's America, but it was painted by female artist Charlotte Joan Sternberg. She combines the mid-century A...

An original realist egg tempera painting by American artist Catherine Koenig created during her travels to Mexico. This work will be featured in the gallery's upcoming exhibition "Dr...

An original realist egg tempera painting by American artist Catherine Koenig created during her travels to Mexico. This work will be featured in the gallery's upcoming exhibition "D...

Original watercolor on archival paper of a location near Westport, Ireland, most likely Clew Bay by the very well known American artist, Adolf Arthur Dehn. Signed by the artist low...

Thelma Corbin Moody AbEx Mountain Side c. 1960's Watercolor on Arches Paper 29.5" x 22", Unframed Thelma Corbin Moody (1908-1986) of Modesto, CA....