Customer Reviews

Lawrence C. Goldsmith: Watercolorist at Large

5 star:		(4)
4 star:		(0)
3 star:		(0)
2 star:		(0)
1 star:		(0)

 

 

Goldsmith has been painting his watercolors since he graduated from Yale in the 1930s after studying under the noted watercolorist Eliot O'Hara. His travels to the Caribbean, Central America, and Southeast Asia after graduation infused his characteristic paintings done mostly in Maine and Vermont with a use of color both deft and delicate and an almost calligraphic sense of line and organization. Carl Little's title "Passion of Place" for his Introduction refers especially to Goldsmith's use of color. As Little notes, Goldsmith's paintings are essentially evocative rather than representational even though scenes are recognizable in them. Drawn early in his career to Turner's watercolor sketches, Goldsmith himself allows this. Winslow Homer and Andrew Wyeth are other detectable, but indirect influences. All but a few of the 62 full-page, full-color plates were done after 1990, Goldsmith's mature period when his distinctive, absorbing style was fully developed.

Lawrence C. Goldsmith thought as an artist,saw as an artist,talked as an artist. I first met him in 1974 and was drawn immediately to his philosophy. He said what he painted was a universal tree, not the identifiable specific one.
One morning, it rained and we didn't go out to paint. Instead there was a still life in the studio which had small pane windows. He commented that there were at least 128 different compositions looking out toward the land and ocean that was our view that day.
He was writing Watercolor Bold and Free at that time.
His new book is truly homage to a Life in Watercolor.

A master of watercolor, a lovingly-produced book, and paintings that balance mood and color and white space perfectly!

So very happy I purchased this book. Mr Goldsmith is a etraordinary watercolorist and the paintings that are in this book are vey inspiring. The prints are exceptional. Watercolorists will surely be inspired by these lovely works.