Alan Tompkins, Abstract Oil Painting Alan Tompkins Surrealist Cubism WPA Artist

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Genre: Modern Subject: Abstract Medium: Oil Surface: Canvas Country: United States Dimensions: 18" x 24" Dimensions w/Frame: 18.5" x 24.5" … Read more Genre: Modern Subject: Abstract Medium: Oil Surface: Canvas Country: United States Dimensions: 18" x 24" Dimensions w/Frame: 18.5" x 24.5" Hand signed lower right Cubist Surrealism, reminiscent of the Later Pop Art works of Roy Lichtenstein. Alan Tompkins a prolific artist, he continued to paint into his 100th year and strongly desired one thing: to be remembered for his art. “I’m not a hobbyist, I’m not an educator,” said Tompkins. “I want to be remembered as a painter.” Modernist artist. Tompkins produced thousands of paintings, many showing the influence of Cubism and abstract art, during a long and productive career. Born in New Rochelle New York, he studied art history and graduated from Columbia University in 1929; he subsequently graduated with a second degree in 1933 from the Yale School of Art, Yale University, New Haven, where he studied mural painting with Eugene Savage. He formed other important connections at Yale, including the portraitist and long-time faculty member Deane Keller, and Tompkins's contemporaries Donald Mattison and Henrik Mayer. In 1933 Tompkins received a Bachelor of Fine Arts degree from Yale, along with the Winchester Prize, allowing him to spend eight months studying in Europe. After visits to Rome, Venice, Ravenna and Munich, Tompkins established an atelier in Paris, where he met his future wife, Florence Coy.. Tompkins taught at the John Herron Art School, Cooper Union and Columbia University. He worked as a book illustrator and industrial designer and was active as a mural painter in the Works Progress Administration (his WPA murals can still be seen in post offices in North Carolina and Indiana). Tompkins joined the Hartford Art School in the 1950s, becoming its director in 1957. He played a pivotal role in the formation of the University of Hartford when the Art School merged with the original Hillyer College and the Hartt College of Music. Tompkins played a pivotal role in the formation of the University of Hartford. When the new Civic Center was being built in Hartford, Tompkins was free with his advice and criticism. In particular, while he initially supported a Sol LeWitt submission for the project, he later criticized LeWitt's abilities as a muralist. He served as director until 1969 and then taught art history and visual studies until his retirement in 1974. A graduate of Columbia University and Yale Art School, he taught painting at John Herron Art School, Cooper Union, and Columbia University. Tompkins also worked as a book illustrator, muralist, portraitist, industrial designer, and lecturer. See less