Friday, March 9, 2018

Visions of Jacob Lawrence and Barbara Earl Thomas / Gratitude













"The Studio, 1977"


Back in 1980 when I was 30 years old and had returned to college to finish my degree in English Literature and Studio Art, I was introduced to the life and work of Jacob Lawrence.  It has been my good fortune to see much of his work in exhibits here in Bellingham and in Seattle.  He remains a inspiration to me to this day.











"Carpenters"
"The Library, 1967"

"Bread, Fish, Fruit"











"Typists"














"Hiroshima Series -- Boy with Kite"




In 2016, I became aware of the work of a student of Jacob Lawrence, Barbara Earl Thomas, and traveled to Bainbridge Island (not far from Seattle) to see an exhibit of her work.  She had studied with Jacob Lawrence, finishing graduate school at University of Washington in 1977, just a few years before I was introduced to his work.

"She makes catastrophe and beauty keep company—the way they actually, unthinkably, do. (from this article).

If you would like to see more of her art work and learn more about her life, I recommend this book:





















As I wait for the inspiration for my next mandala, I feel immense gratitude to these two artists.

2 comments:

Tara said...

I think you must be the reason I became a facebook friend to Barbara. I love her work.

37paddington said...

English and studio art!!! These were my pursuits in college, too. I love both artists. They are fine sources of inspiration indeed.