Lot 177
Paul Strisik (American, 1918-1998). "Arroyo Hondo" watercolor on paper, 1981. Signed at lower right and signed dated, and titled on verso. A radiant meditation on light and land, "Arroyo Hondo" captures Paul Strisik's abiding fascination with the elemental beauty of the New Mexican landscape. Painted in 1982 during his years living part-time in Santa Fe, this watercolor reveals Strisik's devotion to plein air observation and his reverence for the Southwest's seasonal hues. The title refers to the village of Arroyo Hondo, nestled in the foothills north of Taos, where golden cottonwoods blaze against deep blue ridgelines and the high desert light sharpens every contrast. Size of painting: 6.75" W x 4.75" H (17.1 cm x 12.1 cm); of frame: 15" W x 13" H (38.1 cm x 33 cm)
Strisik was never content with surface description. As he once wrote, he aimed to understand "what causes appearances in order to paint the effect with understanding." That sensibility animates this composition, where the late autumn trees glow with inner fire, the distant peaks dissolve into lavender mist, and the winding stream cuts through russet fields like a ribbon of reflected sky. Painted from life, the scene distills both a fleeting moment and an enduring feeling. A testament to Strisik's belief that "even the briefest outdoor stimulation" could evoke profound emotional truth, "Arroyo Hondo" is a luminous gem from a master who spent his life trying to capture nature's light - and succeeded.
Paul Strisik was a painter of light, a master of mood, and a devotee of nature's quiet drama. Born in Brooklyn, New York in 1918, Strisik would go on to become one of the most celebrated American plein air painters of the 20th century. Whether working in the brisk salt air of Rockport, Massachusetts or beneath the golden sun of Santa Fe, New Mexico, he sought to capture not merely what the eye sees, but what the soul remembers. Trained at the Art Students League in New York under Frank Vincent DuMond, Strisik developed a deep sensitivity to the relationship between light and form. He studied cause and effect in nature, learning not just how things looked, but why. He painted outdoors whenever possible, believing that the essence of a place - its light, its weather, its moment in time - could never be fully captured from photographs alone.
In 1955 he settled in Rockport, Massachusetts, where he established a studio and gallery that became a fixture of the New England art scene for six decades. From the rugged coastlines of the Northeast to the sun-soaked deserts of the Southwest, Strisik's landscapes shimmer with a luminous immediacy. He worked in both oil and watercolor, occasionally turning to interiors or still life for quiet contrast. His work earned him over 185 awards, including 17 gold medals, and he was elected an Academician of the National Academy of Design. He belonged to numerous esteemed organizations, including the Copley Society of Boston, the American Watercolor Society, and the Guild of Boston Artists. His paintings were featured in dozens of solo exhibitions and are held in museums, corporate collections, and private holdings across the country.
Strisik authored two influential books on painting, "The Art of Landscape Painting" (1980) and "Capturing Light in Oils" (1995), and was profiled in national publications and television programs. A retrospective of his work has been shown at the Cape Ann Museum, the Rockport Art Association, and Matteucci Galleries in Santa Fe. He passed away in Rockport in 1998, but his vision endures - a testament to a life spent chasing the fleeting beauty of the world, one brushstroke at a time.
"I feel that God's sunlight on a single blade of grass is such a miracle and so difficult to capture in paint, it is worth a lifetime of trying." - Paul Strisik
Provenance: private Santa Fe, New Mexico USA collection
All items legal to buy/sell under U.S. Statute covering cultural patrimony Code 2600, CHAPTER 14, and are guaranteed to be as described or your money back.
A Certificate of Authenticity will accompany all winning bids.
We ship worldwide and handle all shipping in-house for your convenience.
SHIPPING EXCEPTIONS: Due to customs clearance issues, we are unable to ship to Germany, Switzerland and Australia. If you live in Germany, Switzerland or Australia, you will need to provide an alternate shipping destination, or we will not be able to complete your purchase. In addition, please note that we are unable to ship ancient items back to the original country of origin (Egyptian to Egypt, Greek to Greece, etc.)
PAYMENT EXCEPTION: Unless a known customer of Artemis, payment for all gold / precious metal / gem lots must be made via Bank Wire Transfer or Certified Bank Check/Money Order, no exceptions.
#194682
- Condition: Mounted behind glass in custom matte and frame with suspension wire on verso for display. Has not been examined outside of glass, but appears to be in excellent overall condition. Signed at lower right and signed dated, and titled on verso. Dedication on verso reading: "To Bettina and Don - with warmest regards - Paul Strisik 1982."
Accepted Forms of Payment:
American Express, Discover, MasterCard, Visa
Shipping
Auction House will ship, at Buyer's expense
Artemis Fine Arts
You agree to pay a buyer's premium of 25% and any applicable taxes and shipping.
View full terms and conditions
| From: | To: | Increments: |
|---|---|---|
| $0 | $299 | $25 |
| $300 | $999 | $50 |
| $1,000 | $1,999 | $100 |
| $2,000 | $4,999 | $250 |
| $5,000 | $9,999 | $500 |
| $10,000 | $19,999 | $1,000 |
| $20,000 | $49,999 | $2,500 |
| $50,000 | $99,999 | $5,000 |
| $100,000 | $199,999 | $10,000 |
| $200,000 + | $20,000 |