Springtime, 1943. Watercolor on paper, 22" x 30"
I happened across a gallery exhibition of paintings by Milton Avery over the weekend — a favorite of mine in my halcyon days of art school — and I thought a quick discussion of his work would dovetail nicely with Arts, Crafts and Collections month here at Apartment Therapy.
I haven’t come across a grouping of his work in ages, yet quickly re-embraced what I loved about his work in the first place — softness, great shape, graceful clumsiness, deliberation and, yes, color. What caught my eye this time around was green, a color I hate unless I love it, and here I loved it. Avery uses a wide set of colors that never settle on being the same thing twice. Look for green that is arsenic, coke-bottle and lichen; there are warm fir and olive greens, and musty greens redolent of an English castle.
The green in the opening photo is a good point to interject “interiors” into the conversation, and it’s a color that I think of as “old” though here it looks properly Mid-Century. Try Farrow & Ball for a good set of greens that would look good in a 18th century estate or work well to contemporary advantage.
Milton Avery on view through October 3, 2009 at the DC Moore Gallery, 724 Fifth Avenue at 57th Street.
(Images: courtesy DC Moore Gallery)
© 2009 Apartment Therapy
Milton Avery is a genius. He was a MacDowell Fellow back in the day http://www.macdowellcolony.org
view medusa12120's profile
I love Mr. Avery and his color sense. Funny you should post this because I just bought up an estate with some paintings in it by his daughter, March:
http://www.marin-price.com/Marin-Price%20Galleries%20March%20Avery.htm
She obviously inherited all his theology and geometry. They were really fun to read about and research.
view trikitixa's profile
The colors are beautiful and soothing. I'm not familiar with his work...thanks for showing it. The first one is reminiscent of Matisse.
view muirwoods08's profile
I have long loved Milton Avery's work, especially his watercolors and landscapes. Thanks for the link to March's work, trikitixa. You own the works that you linked to? She certainly has inherited her dad's aesthetic and technique. Both lovely.
view jacasi's profile
I am also a fan of Milton Avery after stumbling across his work in a NYC gallery long ago. I've wondered in the last few days (really!) about him and his work, as I've recently been spending more time on art-related matters.
view AustinSarah's profile