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BIOGRAPHY - Gregory Frank Harris (Born 1953)

Gregory Frank Harris

The study of art and the history of art are closely intertwined in the work of Gregory Frank Harris, reflecting his exploration of technique and art history as well as the expression of his personal interests and values. For Harris, the processes of making art have been a lifelong fascination, from his childhood interest in sculpture and drawing to his ongoing investigation of old master technical innovations.

Born in southern California, Harris and his twin brother grew up in a family that embraced the visual arts as well as theatre and music. During his stint at California State University in Long Beach, he studied both art and theatre, but also began writing music, which then became his primary focus. Over the next decade, Harris and his brother played piano and drums respectively in a variety of bands, earning their living in the nightclubs and hotels up and down the west coast. The first sign of a new direction appeared while the band was on the road in Spokane, Washington where Harris rekindled his interest in painting.

Like generations of artists before him, Harris turned to the old masters and the impressionist painters as sources for his study of painting. Copying their work allowed him to investigate, and eventually understand, the techniques that they used, and to begin to develop his personal voice as an artist. Unlike most young painters, however, Harris was fortunate to have two of his old master copies, Rembrandt’s Woman with Pink and Gainsborough’s Blue Boy, selected as props for the 1982 film version of the musical Annie, directed by John Huston. Perhaps as an indication that he was increasingly serious about his painting, Harris also began exhibiting at juried shows in 1982 and marketing his work nationally.  Juried exhibitions--and awards--followed, including an unprecedented first, second and third place award in the popular vote at the historic Lyme Art Association in 2001.

During these years, Harris concentrated his study of art historical models on nineteenth-century naturalist painters such as P.-A.-J Dagnan-Bouveret (1852-1929) and Léon Lhermitte (1844-1925) and impressionists like Claude Monet (1840-1926). As he notes, “Impressionist techniques seemed magical” when he first began investigating it.  Capturing the effect of light on a particular place at a particular moment is at the heart of plein air painting as defined by the impressionists; for Harris, this quest has continued to    offer myriad explorations as his work has evolved over the years.

By the mid–1980s, Harris decided to leave California to study at the Art Students League in New York City, and he subsequently settled in Duxbury, Massachusetts in the 1990s. There, he continued his plein air painting, working with Wendy Martin who served not only as his model but also created the nineteenth century costumes seen in the images. A workshop at the Fechin Institute in Taos, New Mexico, however, lured him back to the southwest in 1996, and he spent the next four years living in Santa Fe. By 2000, however, he returned to New England, this time to Lyme, Connecticut where he taught private students as well as classes at the Lyme Art Association. During these years, Harris was also affiliated with the Putney Painters, a loosely organized group of representational artists centered around Richard Schmid and Nancy Guzik based near Putney, Vermont. Typically, a group of painters would arrive at the large studio barn every other weekend to spend their time working in the company of other artists and receiving casual mentorship from Schmid and Guzik.

In 2003, Harris returned again to Santa Fe where he is surrounded by a landscape that offers abundant sites for exploring new dimensions in painting, and a city that is home to a thriving and diverse arts community. As he explains it, the decision to investigate a variety of techniques in landscape painting has only solidified the connections between his figural works and more abstract images. The “mystery of what paint can do” continues to be a central study for Harris, linking old masters, impressionists, and naturalists with his own imagery. The alla prima application of paint used by artists such as Diego Velázsquez (1599-1660) and John Singer Sargent (1856-1925) thus emerge in Harris’s work in a fresh form, as does the richly textured impasto technique of Monet.

At the core of much of Harris’s work is a sustained dialogue between plein air painting and creating works in the studio. Although the concept of painting directly on site--in front of the motif--has its roots in the late eighteenth century, it was not until the late nineteenth century that this approach was accepted as a serious methodology for creating finished paintings rather than simply sketches. Harris offers a contemporary perspective on this duality, noting that plein air painting pushes him to develop his figural images more thoroughly in the studio. In his naturalist images, where he works with both models and photographs, he comments that it has become “very challenging to see how much better” his figural paintings have become as he has explored the landscape subjects around Santa Fe. In short, Harris’s curiosity about historical techniques combined with his study of the texture of paint and the elusive challenge of capturing light on canvas have all informed his growth as an artist.

Janet Whitmore, Ph.D.

Selected Public Collections
Ella Carothers Dunnegan Museum of Art, Bolivar, Missouri
Zigler Museum, Jennings, Louisiana

Sold Works
Morning in the Garden - Gregory Frank Harris
Gregory Frank Harris
(Born 1953)
Morning in the Garden
Oil on panel
16 x 12 inches
Signed
Summer Roses - Gregory Frank Harris
Gregory Frank Harris
(Born 1953)
Summer Roses
Oil on panel
16 x 20 inches
Signed
Along the Shoreline - Gregory Frank Harris
Gregory Frank Harris
(Born 1953)
Along the Shoreline
Oil on canvas on board
12 x 10 inches
Signed
Summertime Along the Sea - Gregory Frank Harris
Gregory Frank Harris
(Born 1953)
Summertime Along the Sea
Oil on canvas-panel
24 x 30 inches
Signed
Summer Roses - Gregory Frank Harris
Gregory Frank Harris
(Born 1953)
Summer Roses
Oil on canvas-panel
19 x 19 inches
Signed
Sunlight, Wind and Sea - Gregory Frank Harris
Gregory Frank Harris
(Born 1953)
Sunlight, Wind and Sea
Oil on canvas-panel
12 x 20 inches
Signed
Going Home From the Fields - Gregory Frank Harris
Gregory Frank Harris
(Born 1953)
Going Home From the Fields
Oil on canvas-panel
14 x 24 inches
Signed
Shell Seekers - Gregory Frank Harris
Gregory Frank Harris
(Born 1953)
Shell Seekers
Oil on canvas on board
14 x 11 inches
Signed
Rest Along the River - Gregory Frank Harris
Gregory Frank Harris
(Born 1953)
Rest Along the River
Oil on canvas-panel
32 x 24 inches
Signed
Afternoon in the Rose Garden - Gregory Frank Harris
Gregory Frank Harris
(Born 1953)
Afternoon in the Rose Garden
Oil on canvas-panel
18 x 27 inches
Signed
Along the River Epte - Gregory Frank Harris
Gregory Frank Harris
(Born 1953)
Along the River Epte
Oil on canvas-panel
14 x 11 inches
Signed; also signed, titled and dated on the reverse
Sunny Day at the Beach - Gregory Frank Harris
Gregory Frank Harris
(Born 1953)
Sunny Day at the Beach
Oil on canvas-panel
28 x 22 inches
Signed
Evening by the Shore - Gregory Frank Harris
Gregory Frank Harris
(Born 1953)
Evening by the Shore
Oil on canvas-panel
14 x 21 inches
Signed
On the Pacific Shore - Gregory Frank Harris
Gregory Frank Harris
(Born 1953)
On the Pacific Shore
Oil on canvas
24 x 36 inches
Signed; also signed and titled on the reverse
Daydreams (Laundress in the Tuileries, Paris) - Gregory Frank Harris
Gregory Frank Harris
(Born 1953)
Daydreams (Laundress in the Tuileries, Paris)
Oil on canvas-panel
14 x 11 inches
Signed; also signed and titled on the reverse
Springtime in the Fields - Gregory Frank Harris
Gregory Frank Harris
(Born 1953)
Springtime in the Fields
Oil on canvasboard
16 x 24 inches
Signed; also signed and titled on the reverse
A la Fontaine - Gregory Frank Harris
Gregory Frank Harris
(Born 1953)
A la Fontaine
Oil on canvasboard
16 x 14 inches
Signed; also signed and titled on the reverse
Clearing Skies (The Parisian Laundress) - Gregory Frank Harris
Gregory Frank Harris
(Born 1953)
Clearing Skies (The Parisian Laundress)
Oil on canvasboard
24 x 16 inches
Signed; also signed and titled on the reverse
Coastal Morning - Gregory Frank Harris
Gregory Frank Harris
(Born 1953)
Coastal Morning
Oil on canvas
12 x 16 inches
Signed; also signed and titled on the reverse
Garden Pathway - Gregory Frank Harris
Gregory Frank Harris
(Born 1953)
Garden Pathway
Oil on canvas-panel
12 x 18 inches
Signed; also signed and titled on the reverse
Late Afternoon Tea - Gregory Frank Harris
Gregory Frank Harris
(Born 1953)
Late Afternoon Tea
Oil on canvas-panel
20 x 16 inches
Signed; also signed and titled on the reverse
From the Garden - Gregory Frank Harris
Gregory Frank Harris
(Born 1953)
From the Garden
Oil on canvasboard
16 x 20 inches
Signed; also signed and titled on the reverse
Among the Roses - Gregory Frank Harris
Gregory Frank Harris
(Born 1953)
Among the Roses
Oil on canvas-panel
12 x 18 inches
Signed; also signed and titled on the reverse
Distant Light on the Pasture - Gregory Frank Harris
Gregory Frank Harris
(Born 1953)
Distant Light on the Pasture
Oil on canvas
24 x 36 inches
Signed; also signed, titled and dated on the reverse
April Wildflowers - Gregory Frank Harris
Gregory Frank Harris
(Born 1953)
April Wildflowers
Oil on canvas-panel
20 x 22 inches
Signed; also signed and titled on the reverse
In the Light of Summer - Gregory Frank Harris
Gregory Frank Harris
(Born 1953)
In the Light of Summer
Oil on canvas
36 x 24 inches
Signed; also signed, titled and dated on the reverse
Into the Evening Light - Gregory Frank Harris
Gregory Frank Harris
(Born 1953)
Into the Evening Light
Oil on canvas
24 x 12 inches
Signed; also signed, titled and dated on the reverse
Hillside Poppies - Gregory Frank Harris
Gregory Frank Harris
(Born 1953)
Hillside Poppies
Oil on canvas
24 x 18 inches
Signed; also signed, titled and dated on the reverse
Early Fall - Gregory Frank Harris
Gregory Frank Harris
(Born 1953)
Early Fall
Oil on canvasboard
18 x 27 inches
Signed; also signed and titled on the reverse
Mist on the Highlands - Gregory Frank Harris
Gregory Frank Harris
(Born 1953)
Mist on the Highlands
Oil on canvasboard
12 x 20 inches
Signed; also signed and titled on the reverse
Au Printemps - Gregory Frank Harris
Gregory Frank Harris
(Born 1953)
Au Printemps
Oil on canvasboard
21 x 14 inches
Signed; also signed and titled on the reverse
The Haymakers - Gregory Frank Harris
Gregory Frank Harris
(Born 1953)
The Haymakers
Oil on canvasboard
18 x 27 inches
Signed; also signed, titled, and dated on the reverse
Wild Poppies - Gregory Frank Harris
Gregory Frank Harris
(Born 1953)
Wild Poppies
Oil on canvasboard
22 x 30 inches
Signed; also signed and titled on the reverse
June Roses - Gregory Frank Harris
Gregory Frank Harris
(Born 1953)
June Roses
Oil on canvasboard
16 x 12 inches
Signed; also signed and titled on the reverse
Sunlight and Roses - Gregory Frank Harris
Gregory Frank Harris
(Born 1953)
Sunlight and Roses
Oil on canvas
32 x 24 inches
Signed; also signed, titled and dated on the reverse
June Rhododendrons - Gregory Frank Harris
Gregory Frank Harris
(Born 1953)
June Rhododendrons
Oil on canvas
44 x 40 inches
Signed; also signed and titled on the reverse
August Sunshine - Gregory Frank Harris
Gregory Frank Harris
(Born 1953)
August Sunshine
Oil on canvasboard
14 x 14 inches
Signed; also signed, titled and dated on the reverse
Morning Bouquet - Gregory Frank Harris
Gregory Frank Harris
(Born 1953)
Morning Bouquet
Oil on canvas on board
24 x 20 inches
Signed; also signed and titled on the reverse
Daydreams and White Roses - Gregory Frank Harris
Gregory Frank Harris
(Born 1953)
Daydreams and White Roses
Oil on canvas on board
14 x 16 inches
Signed; also signed and titled on the reverse
Garden of Roses - Gregory Frank Harris
Gregory Frank Harris
(Born 1953)
Garden of Roses
Oil on canvas on board
8 x 16 inches
Signed; also signed and titled on the reverse
Along the Peaceful River - Gregory Frank Harris
Gregory Frank Harris
(Born 1953)
Along the Peaceful River
Oil on canvas on board
14 x 20 inches
Signed; also signed and titled on the reverse
Andalusian Farmhouse - Gregory Frank Harris
Gregory Frank Harris
(Born 1953)
Andalusian Farmhouse
Oil on canvas on board
14 x 18 inches
Signed; also signed and titled on the reverse
A Cottage Garden - Gregory Frank Harris
Gregory Frank Harris
(Born 1953)
A Cottage Garden
Oil on canvas on board
16 x 12 inches
Signed; also signed and titled on the reverse
May Blossoms - Gregory Frank Harris
Gregory Frank Harris
(Born 1953)
May Blossoms
Oil on canvas on board
8 x 16 inches
Signed; also signed and titled on the reverse
A Riverside Cottage - Gregory Frank Harris
Gregory Frank Harris
(Born 1953)
A Riverside Cottage
Oil on canvas on board
12 x 24 inches
Signed; also signed and titled on the reverse
The Poppy Field - Gregory Frank Harris
Gregory Frank Harris
(Born 1953)
The Poppy Field
Oil on canvas on board
24 x 20 inches
Signed; also signed and titled on the reverse
April Skies & Sunlit Hills - Gregory Frank Harris
Gregory Frank Harris
(Born 1953)
April Skies & Sunlit Hills
Oil on canvasboard
20 x 22 inches
Signed; also signed and inscribed Paris on the reverse
Along the Peaceful River - Gregory Frank Harris
Gregory Frank Harris
(Born 1953)
Along the Peaceful River
Oil on canvas on board
12 x 16 inches
Signed; also signed and titled on the reverse
Spring in the Valley - Gregory Frank Harris
Gregory Frank Harris
(Born 1953)
Spring in the Valley
Oil on canvasboard
12 x 18 inches
Signed; also signed and titled on the reverse
October Skies - Gregory Frank Harris
Gregory Frank Harris
(Born 1953)
October Skies
Oil on board
12 x 16 inches
Signed; also signed and titled on the reverse
A Golden Harvest - Gregory Frank Harris
Gregory Frank Harris
(Born 1953)
A Golden Harvest
Oil on panel
12 x 20 inches
Signed; also signed and titled on the reverse
Early Spring, Old Brittany Farm - Gregory Frank Harris
Gregory Frank Harris
(Born 1953)
Early Spring, Old Brittany Farm
Oil on panel
14 x 20 inches
Signed; also signed and titled on the reverse
On the Eve of Sundown - Gregory Frank Harris
Gregory Frank Harris
(Born 1953)
On the Eve of Sundown
Oil on canvasboard
12 x 20 inches
Signed; also signed and titled on the reverse
Wildflowers by the Pasture - Gregory Frank Harris
Gregory Frank Harris
(Born 1953)
Wildflowers by the Pasture
Oil on canvasboard
10 x 12 inches
Signed; also signed, titled and dated on the reverse
At Daybreak - Gregory Frank Harris
Gregory Frank Harris
(Born 1953)
At Daybreak
Oil on canvas
40 x 36 inches
Signed; also signed and titled on the reverse
Evening Light and April Moon - Gregory Frank Harris
Gregory Frank Harris
(Born 1953)
Evening Light and April Moon
Oil on panel
14 x 12 inches
Signed; also signed and titled on the reverse
The Road Home - Gregory Frank Harris
Gregory Frank Harris
(Born 1953)
The Road Home
Oil on canvas
46 x 48 inches
Signed; also signed, dated, and titled on the reverse
The Eventide of Spring Comes Gently - Gregory Frank Harris
Gregory Frank Harris
(Born 1953)
The Eventide of Spring Comes Gently
Oil on canvas
58 x 62 inches
Signed; also signed, titled and dated on the reverse
Now, Only Memories - Gregory Frank Harris
Gregory Frank Harris
(Born 1953)
Now, Only Memories
Oil on canvas
14 x 11 inches
Signed; also signed and titled on the reverse
The Herdsman - Gregory Frank Harris
Gregory Frank Harris
(Born 1953)
The Herdsman
Oil on canvas
20 x 20 inches
Signed; also signed, titled and dated on the reverse
Young Shepherd - Gregory Frank Harris
Gregory Frank Harris
(Born 1953)
Young Shepherd
Oil on canvasboard
18 x 12 inches
Signed; also signed and titled on the reverse
In the Cherry Orchard - Gregory Frank Harris
Gregory Frank Harris
(Born 1953)
In the Cherry Orchard
Oil on canvasboard
24 x 20 inches
Signed; also signed and titled on the reverse
Time Moves Slowly - Gregory Frank Harris
Gregory Frank Harris
(Born 1953)
Time Moves Slowly
Oil on canvasboard
14 x 10 inches
Signed; also signed, dated and titled on the reverse
Peaceful Morning - Gregory Frank Harris
Gregory Frank Harris
(Born 1953)
Peaceful Morning
Oil on canvas
24 x 36 inches
Signed; also signed and titled on the reverse
A Still Morning - Gregory Frank Harris
Gregory Frank Harris
(Born 1953)
A Still Morning
Oil on canvas
16 x 12 inches
Signed; also signed, titled and dated on the reverse
Old Newlyn Cottage - Gregory Frank Harris
Gregory Frank Harris
(Born 1953)
Old Newlyn Cottage
Oil on canvasboard
16 x 12 inches
Signed; also signed, titled and dated on the reverse
Warm Days of Summer - Gregory Frank Harris
Gregory Frank Harris
(Born 1953)
Warm Days of Summer
Oil on canvasboard
16 x 12 inches
Signed; also signed, titled and dated on the reverse
Spring Blossoms - Gregory Frank Harris
Gregory Frank Harris
(Born 1953)
Spring Blossoms
Oil on canvasboard
16 x 12 inches
Signed; also signed, titled and dated on the reverse
Wildflowers on the River\'s Edge - Gregory Frank Harris
Gregory Frank Harris
(Born 1953)
Wildflowers on the River's Edge
Oil on canvas
30 x 20 inches
Signed; also signed, titled and dated on the reverse
A Quiet Pastime - Gregory Frank Harris
Gregory Frank Harris
(Born 1953)
A Quiet Pastime
Oil on board
20 x 16 inches
Signed; also signed, titled and dated on the reverse
Sunflowers - Gregory Frank Harris
Gregory Frank Harris
(Born 1953)
Sunflowers
Oil on canvas
20 x 20 inches
Signed; signed, titled and dated on the reverse
Autumn Along the River - Gregory Frank Harris
Gregory Frank Harris
(Born 1953)
Autumn Along the River
Oil on canvas on board
12 x 16 inches
Signed; also signed, titled and dated on the reverse
When Dawn Breaks - Gregory Frank Harris
Gregory Frank Harris
(Born 1953)
When Dawn Breaks
Oil on canvasboard
14 x 11 inches
Signed; also signed and titled on the reverse
A Moments Reverie - Gregory Frank Harris
Gregory Frank Harris
(Born 1953)
A Moments Reverie
Oil on canvasboard
12 x 9 inches
Signed
Daydreams - Gregory Frank Harris
Gregory Frank Harris
(Born 1953)
Daydreams
Oil on canvasboard
18 x 14 inches
Signed
The Golden Years - Gregory Frank Harris
Gregory Frank Harris
(Born 1953)
The Golden Years
Oil on canvas
20 x 24 inches
Signed
The Village Pond - Gregory Frank Harris
Gregory Frank Harris
(Born 1953)
The Village Pond
Oil on canvas
14 x 18 inches
Signed
A Bountiful Harvest - Gregory Frank Harris
Gregory Frank Harris
(Born 1953)
A Bountiful Harvest
Oil on canvas
36 x 36 inches
Signed
When the Storm Clears - Gregory Frank Harris
Gregory Frank Harris
(Born 1953)
When the Storm Clears
Oil on board
20 x 12 inches
Signed
Peaceful Hours - Gregory Frank Harris
Gregory Frank Harris
(Born 1953)
Peaceful Hours
Oil on board
10 x 8 inches
Signed
Flora - Gregory Frank Harris
Gregory Frank Harris
(Born 1953)
Flora
Oil on board
12 x 9 inches
Signed and dated '01
Sunbreak - Gregory Frank Harris
Gregory Frank Harris
(Born 1953)
Sunbreak
Oil on board
18 x 24 inches
Signed
Still Life of Orchids and Grueby Vase - Gregory Frank Harris
Gregory Frank Harris
(Born 1953)
Still Life of Orchids and Grueby Vase
Oil on panel
14 x 18 inches
Signed; also signed, titled and dated on the reverse
A Peaceful Time - Gregory Frank Harris
Gregory Frank Harris
(Born 1953)
A Peaceful Time
Oil on canvas
24 x 18 inches
Signed
Sunlight & Shadows - Gregory Frank Harris
Gregory Frank Harris
(Born 1953)
Sunlight & Shadows
Oil on canvas
14 x 18 inches
Signed
Lilacs and French Confit Jar - Gregory Frank Harris
Gregory Frank Harris
(Born 1953)
Lilacs and French Confit Jar
Oil on canvas
16 x 20 inches
Signed
First Days of Spring - Gregory Frank Harris
Gregory Frank Harris
(Born 1953)
First Days of Spring
Oil on panel
12 x 16 inches
Signed; also signed, titled and dated on the reverse
Clearing Skies - Gregory Frank Harris
Gregory Frank Harris
(Born 1953)
Clearing Skies
Oil on board
12 x 12 inches
Signed; also signed, titled and dated on the reverse
The Chinese Jar - Gregory Frank Harris
Gregory Frank Harris
(Born 1953)
The Chinese Jar
Oil on canvas
10 x 20 inches
Signed
Still Life with Lilacs and Azaleas - Gregory Frank Harris
Gregory Frank Harris
(Born 1953)
Still Life with Lilacs and Azaleas
Oil on canvas
14 x 18 inches
Signed
Still Life with Raku Pot and Peaches - Gregory Frank Harris
Gregory Frank Harris
(Born 1953)
Still Life with Raku Pot and Peaches
Oil on board
12 x 20 inches
Signed; also signed, titled and dated on the reverse
Still Life with Cantaloupe & Peaches - Gregory Frank Harris
Gregory Frank Harris
(Born 1953)
Still Life with Cantaloupe & Peaches
Oil on board
16 x 12 inches
Signed; also signed, titled and dated on the reverse
Tender Fields - Gregory Frank Harris
Gregory Frank Harris
(Born 1953)
Tender Fields
Oil on canvas
20 x 18 inches
Signed
Gladiolas and Copper - Gregory Frank Harris
Gregory Frank Harris
(Born 1953)
Gladiolas and Copper
Oil on canvas
14 x 18 inches
Signed and dated '01
Exhibited Works
Morning Along the Shore - Gregory Frank Harris
Gregory Frank Harris
(Born 1953)
Morning Along the Shore
Oil on panel
8 x 8 inches
Signed
Winter - Rio Pecos, NM - Gregory Frank Harris
Gregory Frank Harris
(Born 1953)
Winter - Rio Pecos, NM
Oil on panel
12 x 9 inches
Signed
Morning Light - Arroyo Seco Winter, NM - Gregory Frank Harris
Gregory Frank Harris
(Born 1953)
Morning Light - Arroyo Seco Winter, NM
Oil on panel
10 x 12 inches
Signed
Emerald Cove (Pacific North West) - Gregory Frank Harris
Gregory Frank Harris
(Born 1953)
Emerald Cove (Pacific North West)
Oil on panel
12 x 12 inches
Signed