Bay Area Figuration: A Hybrid Style with John Seed

Art Writer John Seed discusses the development and context of the Bay Area Figurative style in a one hour webinar. Seed shows works by the three originators of the style-David Park, Elmer Bischoff and Richard Diebenkorn-and goes on to show how the style drew other artists. Also discussed are Paul Wonner, William Theophilius Brown, Nathan Oliveira, James Weeks, Joan Brown and Manuel Neri. Mentioned for the first time is the influence of Edith Park Truesdell, the aunt of David Park, who Seed believes shaped her nephew's aesthetic vision. This stylistic overview is intended to be entertaining and informative for art afficianados and others.

[@DanielLopes-jt8yl]

Thank you Martha and John for any and all info on this art movement.

[@JohnSeed]

You are most welcome!

[@elizabethferrari3647]

I'm always looking for more on this group of artists. Thank you.

[@brannonmcclure6970]

Thanks. What an enlightening presentation. And informative.🧑‍🎨♾️🎭

[@JohnSeed]

Thanks for letting me know that you enjoyed it.

[@cathywilliams2830]

This was absolutely wonderful; thanks John, for your overwhelming info! I plan to contact you in the near future.

[@Billart]

Terrific overview, in depth commentary & narrative stories - quite meaningful taking on this group with many stellar examples all showing real brain power besides love of paint. I was at SFAI after it peaked & David Park especially continues informing me. A real lasting resonance in terms of feeling in most all of it though unfortunately didn’t fly as well in NYC in the face of Pop & ultra marketing though I admired Andy Warhol who helped me out a few times.

[@andrewnorris2]

Thoroughly enjoyed this. I love to hear about groups of artists who occupied a similar geographic space, fed off of each other yet produced original works. Most of these artists were new to me and it was a real discovery. The impact that Pop art, and Andy Warhol, had on the popularity of these artists is echoed with the Neo-Romantic painters in Britain and how they were completely overshadowed when American Abstract Expressionism reached British shores in the 1950s. This was a beautifully presented lecture, clear, precise and absent of 'erm's and 'errs'. Thanks you

[@JohnSeed]

Thank you Andrew. I'll have to learn more about Britain's Neo-Romantics....

[@andrewnorris2]

@@JohnSeed Start with William Blake, then Samuel Palmer. Their work was picked up in the 20th Century by Paul Nash, Graham Sutherland and John Piper who in turn inspired the Neo-Romantics, especially John Minton, John Craxton and Keith Vaughan, some of the nude male paintings in your lecture reminded me of Vaughan. They were all friends or acquaintances of Francis Bacon who you mentioned in this lecture. This period, c.1935-55, is probably my favourite period of art history. When cultural links with Europe were cut because of the war these artists looked to their own culture and landscape. Hope you will enjoy discovering them, John.

[@cliffdariff74]

This was fabulous thank you so much

[@JohnSeed]

Thanks for letting me know Cliff!

[@cliffdariff74]

@@JohnSeed been watching your other vids too! Do you know of a book on Bay Area Figure drawings and ink washes only? Love those the best. Thx

[@JohnSeed]

@@cliffdariff74 I wish there was such a book... but I can't think of one. I often buy rare catalogs on eBay and have been loading up on old Nathan Oliveira catalogs lately, including a few that feature drawings.

[@marlenemaier2168]

Thanks (again) for such a fantastic presentation. On your recommendation, I visited the Anderson collection last week and was not disappointed. Now time to paint:).

[@JohnSeed]

That’s wonderful that you are feeling inspired to paint. I appreciate you taking the time to let me know that you enjoyed this.

[@lawandawalters5578]

This has been a brilliant and enlightening talk, John Seed!

[@MrRickleon]

Just wonderful, absolutely wonderful. Thank you!

[@JohnSeed]

So kind of you to let me know.

[@Flux_One]

Fantastic presentation

[@JohnSeed]

Thank you!

[@BillBurley]

thanks John!

[@ja6969]

just wonderful, thank you so much!!!!!

[@JohnSeed]

Glad you enjoyed it!

[@alibaudoin]

Would you consider presenting a webinar on Nathan Oliveria?? I studied with him brieflly in 1990's and adored him.Thanks for your ccnsideration.

[@JohnSeed]

That's a fine idea. It would take some preparation but maybe I can do that sometime.

[@andrewrodell3]

Wonderful and inspiring talks about painting and art history!

[@JohnSeed]

Thank you for letting me know!

[@davidistance9872]

Like others, I thought this was terrific. One question that occurred to me during the talk and especially right at the end with the comment about the social life of the Bay Area artists was: without overgeneralising, might one say that the New York abstract expressionists were intensely competitive with few real friendships among the leading artists while there were many important friendships among the Bay Area group? To the extent that that's true, what difference did this make to the nature and longevity of the Bay Area group and the body of work produced as a whole?

[@JohnSeed]

Hi David, I'm so glad you enjoyed the webinar and the point you bring up is interesting. Regarding the many close friendships among Bay Area artists I think they only benefitted the artists involved. When David Park died of cancer in 1960 that certainly was tough for his friends, but they stayed connected. Among the friendships I can think of that were sustained: Sam Francis shared his studio with Richard Diebenkorn when he moved south and Nate Oliveira was always close to Diebenkorn, Bill Brown, Wayne Thiebaud and many others including his former students. Joan Brown and Jay De Feo were very tight. These friendships had professional "art world" benefits and personal benefits. too. I think they helped all the artists sustain their art as fashions changed.

[@CG-ql5rr]

I love how artists go from complex to freedom of expression after years of carrier

[@monkeystadium]

they pinched the line of confluence between russian sobriety and eccentric american way