This 1950s -1960s distemper painting is by Bay Area artist Alysanne McGaffey (1931-2018). Born in Seattle, McGaffey moved to San Francisco in the mid 1950s to study at SFAI with Bay Area Figurative pioneers Joan Brown, Nathan Oliveira, Jay DeFeo, Walter Kuhlman, and Manuel Neri. McGaffey also took classes at CCAC and UC Berkeley, and received an MFA in Painting from the University of San Francisco. She became involved in community arts organizations, holding offices in several, including the Coastal Arts League and Pacifica's Cultural Arts Commission. Eventually McGaffey's gaze moved from the figure to the landscape, and she spent the last thirty years traveling the Northern California coast painting watercolor seascapes.

1950s -1960s
Distemper, Oil Pastel and Graphite on Paper
10.5"x14" unframed

Signed on bottom. Excellent vintage condition.

Distemper refers to any water based paint that blends chalk with an organic-based binder. It has a soft, velvety finish and was commonly used by Bay Area Figurative artists in the 1950s-1960s.


Condition:
Alterations: Original Condition Unaltered
Imperfections: Some Imperfections
Condition Notes: excellent vintage condition

Creator:
Artist: Alysanne McGaffey

Materials & Techniques:
Paint, Paper

Details:
Art Subjects: Abstract, Figure, Portrait
Country of Origin: Unknown
What type of item is it? Vintage / Antique / Used
Frame Type: Unframed

Original Condition Unaltered; Some Imperfections; excellent vintage condition