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The Art of Milford Zornes: Friendships and Inspiration Is Produced in Conjunction with an Exhibition at the CCAA Museum of Art in Rancho Cucamonga, California

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The Art of Milford Zornes: Friendships and Inspiration Is Produced in Conjunction with an Exhibition at the CCAA Museum of Art in Rancho Cucamonga, California The A r “Art is the presentation of truth t of beyond fact and reason…” Milfor Milford Zornes The artistic innovations of Milford Zornes were key to the emergence d of the California Style Watercolor Movement, a new style of plein-air Zorne painting, which began in the 1920’s and 1930’s. Milford always had a romantic infatuation with the California landscape, but he continued to travel widely, sketching, painting, and teaching throughout the s: world. Over the years, Milford developed his innovative style into a Friendships & Inspiration masterful dynamic of bold abstraction that is unique and breathtaking in its sublime beauty. The Art of Milford Zornes: Friendships and Inspiration is produced in conjunction with an exhibition at the CCAA Museum of Art in Rancho Cucamonga, California. This showing features 17 paintings by friends and affiliated artists, together with 46 paintings by Milford Zornes, select artwork from private collections, some of which have never been on public exhibition. The Art of Milford Zornes: Friendships & Inspiration Gene Sasse CCAA Museum of Art Cover painting: Cambria Coast 22”x 30” Watercolor 2006 Anderson Art Gallery The Art of Milford Zornes: Friendships and Inspiration 2011 Gene Sasse James Milford Zornes 1908-2008 PREFACE This publication is produced in conjunction It is interesting that every artist I it was my great pleasure to sit and listen. with the exhibition interviewed for this exhibition-edition I took notes. I heard wonderful stories. “The Art of Milford Zornes: Friendships and Inspiration” said exactly the same two things; “I am I filled notebooks. From the scribbled December 12, 2010 through February 20, 2011 inspired by Milford Zornes,” and “I am pile of pages I attempted to ‘capture the Presented by in awe of Milford Zornes.” Every artist essence of memory’ and to frame that CCAA Museum of Art said it. I had to ask, “Why are you in memory in a visual, conceptual language Located in the North Wing of the J. Filippi Winery awe of Milford Zornes and how does that conveys experience in such a way 12467 Base Line Road, Rancho Cucamonga, California 91739 he inspire you?” My questions were that it is emotionally palatangible to a www.ccaamuseum.org met with some perplexity. One artist reading audience comprised primarily of Exhibit sponsored by said, “If I could explain it in words, I artists. The collected story of Milford Bob & Connie Constant, CleoBell Heiple-Tice, Hofer Ranch, Patricia Jump, wouldn’t have to paint.” It occurred to Zornes is not the hard fact of history or Ruby & Wayne Leavitt, Harrison & Marguerite McIntosh, and me that every one of them had a story to the cold, sculpted marble of mythology. Gary C. Ovitt tell, they just didn’t know how to tell it. It is the flesh and beating heart of living Chairman & Fourth District Supervisor They enjoyed talking, however, and memory. San Bernardino County Board of Supervisors Brian Dale Bywater Book copyright ©2010 CCAA Museum of Art Artist portraits copyright ©2010 Gene Sasse Writer All rights reserved. No part of this book may be reproduced in any form by any electronic or mechanical means (including photocopying, recording or information storage or retrieval) without permission in writing from CCAA Museum of Art or Gene Sasse. “The Art of Milford Zornes: Friendships and Inspiration” Published by Gene Sasse 5288 Ranch Gate Road, Alta Loma, CA 91701-1217 Web: www.sassebooks.com Email: [email protected] Written by Brian Dale Bywater, Designed by Fred Hartson Portrait & art photography by Gene Sasse Typeset in Goudy Old Style, Printed and bound in South Korea First Edition, December 2010 Library of Congress Control Number: 2010914058 ISBN: 978-0-9842797-2-2 1 FOREWORD Milford Zornes was an innovator who His work has great integrity and he in California, but all over the United was still a little wild. That movement, had no desire for fame and no interest in held his work to the highest standards States, Latin America, and Europe. He the California Watercolor Style, did much becoming another member of the ‘Art of authenticity and was committed to taught for the rest of his life, and even to influence the direction of many artists World’ establishment. His ‘road less keeping those standards. He tried his best gave a painting demonstration on his throughout the country. traveled’ became an inspiration to many to teach others that sense of integrity and 100th birthday. He did it for the love of of his fellow artists and through the years commitment. He was an idealist in so painting and the joy of sharing knowledge. Milford Zornes, the man, the artist, the he became a major influence, elite in his many ways, as a person and as an artist. In doing so, he impacted the art world; he teacher, the friend, the role model. Who field, and is now considered one of the Milford was unselfish with his time and influenced many artists over a period of was Milford Zornes? Why is he such an great American artists of the 20th century. thoughtful when teaching others. many, many years. important part of the art world? This exhibit is our way of honoring Milford He got there by hard work. He led by Milford Zornes said, “You learn to teach In retrospect, it is clear that Milford and showing the public just a touch of the example. He worked from early in the and you teach to learn.” Whatever he Zornes, along with Millard Sheets, influence he had on his fellow artists as morning until late at night and his work learned along the way he wanted to share. Phil Dike, and other California artists well as the importance of his contribution ethic made him a role model. He was also In the 1940’s he began to teach painting worked in a direction that was unique to art in today’s world. Milford often adept at adjusting to the adversities of outside of the classroom setting, not only to California, painting watercolors on said, “Painting is the only way I can life and old age, including macular location that showed the landscape, the create order in my life.” And he painted degeneration. He adapted himself cities, and the lives of the people of who everyday as a way of feeling and expressing with perhaps the best results of his lived in California when the countryside his sense of order in our chaotic world. life with powerful works of art that captured the essence and beauty of Bill Anderson the subject in a way few artists have Artist, gallery owner, art teacher, been able to do. Claude Monet and friend and colleague of Milford Zornes Henri Matisse come to mind when it comes to the work of artists late in their life. left to right Bill Anderson, Henry Fukuhara, Raul Anguiano, Milford Milford Zornes sitting for Zornes, Howard Hitchcook Raul Anguiano in 1996 photo by Greg Sutton 2006 2 3 INTRODUCTION Milford Zornes was listed as one of the all wished to be admitted. We politely guest lecturers at the Riverside Art asked, and Milford graciously listened Museum’s Watercolor West Event in Fall, and said, “Let them in, whoever wants in, 2002. I was working at the museum and let them in.” He did not want to refuse I was a bit awed by the stir and hum of anyone. excitement caused by the anticipation of his lecture. I had no idea who Milford Those who knew Milford, or have taken Zornes was. As I talked to those who classes from him, have reminiscences knew him, or had taken classes with about him they are very interested in him, I couldn’t help but notice how their sharing with others, some humorous, faces brightened as they shared their some instructive, some inspiring. If you experiences with me. Milford’s lecture speak with Chris Van Winkle he will quickly sold out and days before the event tell you about Milford’s compassion for there was a great clamor and jockeying for others. Chris was with Milford when he tickets followed by great disappointment was giving a lecture in Spain. A nurse that there were none available. On the wheeled a paraplegic in a wheelchair up morning of the event the place was full, near the podium. The patient’s head every seat was taken, and still there were was slumped, his eyes rolled, his mouth those milling in the foyer and more people drooled. Milford cut his lecture short and kept arriving. I was on the museum sat down next to the paraplegic to meet staff and other staff members and I were with him and noticed he was clutching a continually fielding requests from those picture book about an artist. “Picasso!” who said they knew Milford Zornes, those Milford said, “I painted with Picasso!” who had come a very long way, and those Zornes sat with him conversing and Grand Canyon who were just star-eyed and hopeful. They turning pages. He wrote a note in his 48” x 60” Watercolor 2005 Collection of Maldonado Family Trust 4 5 book, hugged him, and stayed beside him foreground. Milford said it is an artist’s Milford Zornes is still very much with us. works of art by Milford Zornes, together until the nurse came to collect him. intellectual prerogative. His person, his presence is with us. His with 17 works by his friends and students, signature is hanging on our walls. For in this exhibition we have named, The Joanna Mersereau can tell you about Tom Fong will tell you about the time your viewing pleasure we present to you 44 Art of Milford Zornes: Friendships and Milford’s practicality.
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