Abstract Expressionists “A...-F...-”
for history of art and social studies classrooms.

Charles Alston, Family No. 1, Art Print

Charles Alston
b. 11-28-1907; Charlotte, NC
d. 4-27-1977 (cancer)

Charles Alston illustrated album covers for jazz musician Duke Ellington, book covers for poet Langston Hughes and painted murals as part of the Works Progress Administration's Federal Art Project at the Harlem Hospital Center.

Alston was also the first African American instructor at the Art Students League of New York (1950–1971) and the Museum of Modern Art (1956) and he became a full professor at the City University of New York (CUNY) in 1973.

FYI ~ Charles Alston and Romare Bearden were cousins by marriage.

William Baziotes
b. 6-11-1912; Pittsburgh, PA
d. 6-6-1963; New York City

Baziotes was friends with many artists in the Abstract Expressionist movement though his work is most often considered in the Surrealist group. Baziotes was also an instructor in the Works Progress Administration (WPA) Federal Art Project and “easel artist” between 1936 and 1941.

FYI - Pierrot is a stock clown character used in impromtu presenations to represent the naive and trusting fool, sometimes a lunatic, who is without cares.

William Baziotes quotes ~
• “Each painting has its own way of evolving... When the painting is finished, the subject reaveals itself.”

• William Baziotes

Alexander Calder
b. 7-22-1898; Lawnton, PA
d. 11-11-1976; New York City

Sculptor and artist Alexander Calder is most remembered for inventing mobile sculptures, and his stationary sculptures call stabiles.

Calder was also a painter, printmaker, toy and housewares designer.

Alexander Calder quotes ~
• “When an artist explains what he is doing, he usually has to do one of two things: either scrap what he has explained, or make his work fit in with the explanation.”
• “The universe is real but you can't see it. You have to imagine it. Once you imagine it, you can be realistic about reproducing it.”

Sam Francis
b. 6-25-1923; San Mateo, CA
d. 11-4-1994

Sam Francis, American painter and printmaker, was associated with “color field” and “Tachisme” art which was influenced by his study of Zen Buddhism.

Sam Francis quotes ~
• “What we want is to make something that fills utterly the sight and can't be used to make life only bearable.”
• “An increase in light gives an increase in darkness.”
• “Color is born of the interpenetration of light and dark.”
• “Painting is about the beauty of space and the power of containment.”

• Sam Francis: Color is the essence of it all

Helen Frankenthaler
b. 12-12-1928; New York City, NY

Married to Robert Motherwell.

Helen Frankenthaler quotes ~
• “There are no rules. That is how art is born, how breakthroughs happen. Go against the rules or ignore the rules. That is what invention is about.”

• “You have to know how to use the accident, how to recognise it, how to control it, and ways to eliminate it so that the whole surface looks felt and born all at once.”

• Helen Frankenthaler: Painting History, Writing Painting