It is the catalogue for his show at the Morgan Museum in 2018. The focus is on his drawings, some are preparatory works for paintings but most are his explorations of different medium and images. He worked, early in his career, as an animator, illustrator, and sign painter. He drew constantly for love of the experience, or so it seems to me. I believe my favorite piece is Delicatessen Counter from 1961, 16” x 26.25”. He used ink, oil, watercolor, and graphite. I love that mix medium and the piece is an engaging mix of warm tones and rectangular shapes. It is abstract enough that even after reading the title you can loose yourself in delicate balance of rectangular shapes and value pattern.
I study other artist to stimulate my own ideas and sort out current stumbling blocks in my work. Reading about art always excites me about my own studio pieces, so much so that I have a difficult time finishing because I am compelled to jump up and get to work! I get inspired by realizing I’ve learned how to look paintings and drawings regardless of their style or imagery for how they work as flat patterns of marks, values, shapes and hue. It’s has become like reading a mystery and solving the puzzle.