Maxfield Parrish at the Crocker Art Museum

Fantasies and Fairy-Tales: Maxfield Parrish and the Art of the Print

Exhibit runs May 8 – July 19, 2009

Though recent scholarship has paid increased attention to Maxfield Parrish’s career as a fine artist, the immense popularity of his work during the early 20th century rested on his appeal as a commercial artist.

In many cases, Parrish’s original paintings were a direct result of his commercial enterprises. Before abandoning figurative work in the 1950s, Parrish undertook hundreds of commissions for book illustrations, magazine covers, advertisements and lithographs that reveal both his sense of humor and his eye for graphic design.

"The End" is one of my favorites! I actually purchased this one from an antique store back in the 80's.

This exhibition presents a comprehensive sampling of Parrish’s printed works, offering insight into the multifaceted relationship between the worlds of commercial and fine art. Here's the link for more information.

If you can make it to Sacramento, this is a rare chance to see the amazing works of Maxfield Parrish. I plan on going in July, and I'll let you know more then.

O'keeffe

Georgia O'Keeffe 1887-1986

The legendary O'Keeffe famous for her Cow Skulls and abstract flowers had a much broader appeal then most realize. In my opinion, she was way ahead of her time. Here is an image of "Radiator Building, Night New York, 1927. Oil on canvas.

I fortunately saw her paintings in exhibit in San Francisco a few years back. Her brillant color palette gave me chills. Ansel Adams once said about her, "She's a very great artist. Nobody can look at a painting without being deeply effected." I have to agree. She has been one of my inspirations for many, many years and continues to do so.