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MEET JAMES HARRINGTON
Born in 1929, I grew up in New York
where, I became an apprentice bricklayer in a vertical
city. Four years later, I was that third generation journeyman;
who traveled to work wrapped around a sketchpad; came home
to a wonderful wife and eventually enough children to move
my easel into the kitchen. |
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There was a brief stint at the Art Students
League, but the scheme of working on Manhattan's high-rise
buildings by day and taking classes at night, gave way to
independent study as the road to self expression. This was
a turning point for Harrington because, it was here that
I was introduced to the teachings of Robert Henri, (1865-1929).
Henri had distinguished himself as an instructor at the League,
and was the mentor of those urbanized painters later dubbed, "The
Ashcan School".
Adhering to the tenets of Henri
in his book, "The Art Spirit", I was both determined
and destined to forgo participation in juried exhibits during
a painting adventure that has spanned more than six decades.
Henri's book is a verbal painting of the stepping stones
to his perception, that I share with artists, collectors
and friends. |
Henri's
approach to art and my allegiance to his philosophy often
lead to questions about the drawback of being out of
step with one's peers. There is that, of course. However,
the empathy conveyed in my work and the recognition it
has established, are for me, the "pedigree" that
couldn't be earned in exhibitions I chose to abandon. Harrington
remains the one artist I compete with and daily, I challenge
him to express himself in indelible, penetrating ways.
To do less, would be to forsake the roots and the route
of my journey.
Harrington Paintings have
been featured in a number of publications,
please visit the "publications" page |
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