Charles Ethan Porter: Many Firsts as a Determined Black Artist

 We are close to the end of February and Black (Art) History Month. Last week, was about a contemporary artist and this week it's about a long-ago artist, who enjoyed so many "firsts" in his quest and determination to live his life as an artist. 

 

His name? Charles Ethan Porter (1847-1923) was born to a mill worker and a housekeeper. They were free, but with a large family and low-pay work were very poor. Charles Porter had to do hard work at an early age to pay his way through school. Of his many siblings, he was the first to graduate from high school.

 

 

As an artistic prodigy, he was the first black man admitted to the prestigious National Academy of Design. Porter's talent was such that he earned the support of benefactors including the governor of his home state, Connecticut and Mark Twain.

After completing his program at the academy, Porter's determination led to another first. He sold all of his art to pay for his studies in Paris - the first black artist to do so. In spite of his cultural differences in France, he stayed for two years learning all he could from master teachers.

Returning to the USA, he eschewed the growing European style of Impressionism and became known as one of the American "nature mystics." 

 These were artists who preferred still live paintings of flowers and produce along with scenes in nature. He was able to garner support for his art and live modestly until post Civil War.

 

The full sting of being a black artist meant he couldn't even sell his art going door to door. He would teach students, auction his art and barter his art to support himself. Finally, in failing health, he returned to the town where he was born to live out his remaining years in total obscurity.

 

 

 

It was a solo exhibit of his works in 1987 that brought his work back to awareness for his artistic contribution and now his works reside in the Metropolitan Museum of Art, Smithsonian Museum of American Art, Seattle Pacific University and several other well-known galleries.

 

 

 

Paul Osborne Jones: Flora Teacher, Painter, Print Maker

Hard to believe, but very much in keeping with Pacific Northwest weather, we had a terrible ice storm. (aka "Icepocalypse") For about one week, it was too risky to drive or walk. The silence from children indoors and cars parked were almost eerie. 

 

A week later, our warmth is such that early Spring flowers are blooming. So far, Daphnes, Jonquils, and Daffodils have all poked out.Yet, much of the country remains in the throes of winter. 

 

 

For all, let's celebrate an early Spring with an master artist of flora. The artist is Paul Osborne Jones (1921-1998) of Australia - a country presently in the middle of Summer.

 

 

Jones was an art teacher, painter and print maker. He studied at both technical and art schools. After completing his schooling, he worked as a commercial artist for a department store until 1941 when he enlisted to fight in WW2. Part of his service time was spent in New Guinea, which was inspirational to Jones, who loved painting flora.

It was in an exhibition of his flower paintings that he caught the eye of a botanist, who hired Jones to illustrate two books. In the 1970s, he would author his own two books: Flora Superba and Flora Magnifica. 

 

He also worked for the UN, as a forest and forestry planner. For all his kudos, he would be granted the OBE for his services to art. Well done, Master Jones! (Please note: His use of negative space is quite good)

 

 

 

Sir Cedric Morris: Permanent Joy of Spring

 Here in the Pacific NW, cold rain continues even though we are deep into April. Yesterday, as I was waiting at a stop light, I looked to my left and I had to smile. There was a large planting of daffodils and pansies with their heads proudly announcing Spring. They were on a mission to bloom and it didn't seem to matter for the cold. How much joy do flowers give us? How often do they inspire artists?

 

One painter who came to mind is Cedric Morris (1889-1982) He was born into an aristocratic family and held the title of the 9th Baronet; hence the "Sir" in his title. Beyond this nobility, at 17 years,he left his home in Swansea, Wales for Ontario, Canada. He took menial jobs until he felt mature enough to return to the continent and study art in Paris. 

 

Alas, WW1 interrupted his art studies and he returned to Wales. There, he developed his love of horticulture and worked/painted at Pound Farm. He turned the grounds into a beautiful paradise. The owner was so impressed that when she died, Morris inherited the farm. 

 

Morris created over 1,000 varieties of flowers - 45 irises are registered! Morris taught and created exuberant paintings of flowers. There's a strong feeling of his joy in the presence of flowers. What a wonderful way to give a sense of permanence to Spring!