Paul Jenkins was an American abstract Expressionist Painter (1923-2012).  He was born in the Midwest and was inspired early on when he met Frank Lloyd Wright, who was commissioned by his great uncle to rebuild a church that had burnt to the ground.  Wright insisted that he not become a painter, but Jenkins was steadfast and also sought and met Thomas Hart Benton who he also told he wanted to become an artist. Jenkins was perseverant, tenacious, and clearly believed in his gift.  Eventually, he did what all great American painters of a certain period did, he relocated to Paris. Later he divided his time between Paris and New York.  While he was fabulously talented, he submerged himself in the right circles at the right times.  During the heyday of New York painters, he associated with Rothko and Pollock, Krasner and Newman.  He had much critical and financial success during the course of his lifetime.  His works were purchased by the Whitney and the Guggenheim. Mitterrand was a patron. His works have been showcased all over the world, from Milan and London, to Lilles and San Francisco.

I was recently introduced to the work of Paul Jenkins. His work is easy to be drawn towards, there is something inherently likable in the color palettes used, the textures, the ways in which the forms surface and come to life.  As I grew up exposed to much abstract art, I was surprised at my lack of knowledge about this American dynamo.  However, as it was a pleasant surprise, I felt compelled to share it with you.

“There is no abstract art. You must always start with something. Afterward you can remove all traces of reality.”
–Pablo Picasso

Attribution to Wikipedia, New York Times, Paul Jenkins.net, Herndon Fine Art, Artnet, Happy Roost Blog