#187 In the field: Everett Raymond Kinstler: "Pulps to Portraits" con't.

. . . for more information please scroll to yesterday's and the day before's blog.

We arrived in Boston and before driving to the Norman Rockwell Museum in Stockbridge, MA to honor and celebrate Everett Raymond Kinstler's illustrious career, we had time to drive north to Gloucester, MA. to enjoy lobster and experience the art.

Gloucester has long been a gathering place for artists: Winslow Homer, Edward Hopper, Childe Hassam and sculptors Paul Manship and Anna Hyatt Huntington were attracted to her rocky shores. We visited Cape Ann Museum, and photographed Anna Hyatt Huntington's masterpiece, Joan of Arc.

Below left: Norman Rockwell's studio on the grounds of the Norman Rockwell Museum, Stockbridge, MA.

#186 In the field: Everett Raymond Kinstler: "Pulps to Portraits" con't.

. . . for more information please scroll to yesterday's blog.

Ray's inspiration was gleaned from John Singer Sargent (1856-1925) and his friend and mentor, illustrator James Montgomery Flagg (1877-1960).

His illustrious roster of sitters include Presidents Ronald Reagan and Bill Clinton, actors John Wayne, Katharine Hepburn, Christopher Plummer and his close friend, the consummate entertainer, Tony Bennett; himself an accomplished painter.

Mr. Bennett introduced Ray at an amusing and memorable talk during the opening. Afterwards, at a gala private dinner at the historic Red Lion Inn in Stockbridge, we had a chance to talk about Tony's new interest - sculpture.  He signs his work with his family name Benedetto, benedettoarts.com/.

You will enjoy Ray's website, everettraymondkinstler.com/ and the Norman Rockwell Museum website, nrm.org/

Portrait of James Montgomery Flagg  1956

#185 In the field: Everett Raymond Kinstler: "Pulps to Portraits"

Last weekend Trish and I took a whirlwind trip to the Norman Rockwell Museum in Stockbridge, MA to attend a retrospective exhibition tracing the seven decade journey
of one of the most prominent artists of our time: Everett Raymond Kinstler.

Ray began his career as a comic book artist and illustrator and evolved into a distinguished portrait painter of seven United States presidents, celebrities and other notable figures.  He is a giant in the art world, an American treasure and I am delighted to know Ray and his lovely wife Peggy as friends.

I've known Ray and Peggy for years.  I worked with Peggy when she was editor
of Informart Magazine and knew Ray from mutual participation in museum shows
such as Prix de West in Oklahoma City.  He sponsored my membership into the
National Arts Club in New York City and we own each others art.

At right and below, I'm with Peggy and Ray at the gala opening.