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Artwork copyright . Paul Vexler. Photo courtesy of the artist.
In Remembrance 2022
Remembering the artists in Washington's State Art Collection who left us in 2022.
In celebration of their lives and their dedication to art, we present selected artworks by these artists, in Washington's State Art Collection. To learn more about the artists and their artworks, click on any of the names or images.
Jack Dollhausen (1940-2021) created conceptual and interactive sculptures that use technology and computerized elements. He lived and worked in Pullman, Eastern Washington, and served as a professor of art at Washington State University for over thirty years.
Bruce Douglas Beal (1938-2022) created paintings and prints inspired by the landscape of the Southern United States. He taught art at Eastern Washington University in Cheney for several decades.
Gregory Grenon (1948-2022) was a Portland, Oregon-based painter whose work focuses on portraiture, exploring female faces, figures, and hands. He notes, "Growing up in an emotional world, I use this emotion of my life in the life of my painting."
Lee Kelly (1932-2022) was an Oregon-based artist, known for his large metal sculptures that combine geometric shapes with natural forms. He was an avid traveler and mountain climber.
Mel McCuddin (1933-2022) was a Spokane-based artist who created expressive, figurative paintings: “My paintings are essentially a record of the evolution of an idea.” McCuddin grew up on a dairy farm, worked as a truck driver for dairies, took art classes when he could, and painted at night until retirement allowed him to create art full time.
Michael Spafford (1935-2022) created paintings and prints that translate mythological symbols and narratives. He was Professor Emeritus (1963-1994) of the University of Washington School of Art in Seattle.
Paul Vexler (1947-2022) created sculptures that blend art, math, and science, exploring natural and man-made shapes: "I like mathematical forms that occur in nature—logarithmic spirals, helices, crystal lattices, polyhedral." He was based in Snohomish, Western Washington.
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