This 1950-60s distemper and charcoal on paper figure drawing 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.

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.

1950-60s
Distemper & Charcoal on Paper
17"x14" unframed

Signed at the bottom. Excellent vintage condition.


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

Origin:
United States

Creator:
Artist: Alysanne McGaffey

Materials & Techniques:
Charcoal, Paper

Details:
What type of item is it? Vintage / Antique / Used
Country of Origin: United States
Art Subjects: Figure, Nude
Frame Type: Unframed

Original Condition Unaltered; Some Imperfections; Excellent vintage condition