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    Lost Art Salon
    • | All Art
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    • | Art by Medium
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      Barbara Lewis

      Barbara Lewis

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      Barbara Lewis (1925-2008)

      • The Collection
      • The Story
      • barbara lewisBarbara Lewis (1925-2008) was a Chicago-based painter, photographer, and printmaker.   She studied at the Art Institute of Chicago (1943), University of Illinois at Chicago (1967-70), and the IIT Institute of Design (MFA in Printmaking, 1970-72).  Through her mixed-media compositions, Lewis explored Abstract Expressionism and Pop Art, often referring to urban imagery of Chicago.

        Barbara Lewis was born in 1925 and lived in the Chicago area for most of her life. She was a fine art painter, photographer, and printmaker. As an adolescent she first worked in watercolor, pastel, and oil paint depicting the extensive garden established by her parents. Her passion for art led her to study at the Art Institute of Chicago (1943), the University of Illinois at Chicago (1967-1970), and the Institute of Design at the Illinois Institute of Technology, where she earned an MFA in printmaking in 1972.

        Lewis worked as the Curator of Prints at the Morton Arboretum Library in Lisle, Illinois (1965-67) and as a docent at the Museum of Contemporary Art in Chicago before becoming assistant to the director of the Richard Gray Gallery.  She enjoyed the position from 1971-1993 while also maintaining her own studio in various Chicago locations, including the historic Tree Studios.  She was represented by the Jay Horwich Gallery and the Jan Cicero Gallery in Chicago, and participated in the Art Rental and Sales Gallery at the Art Institute of Chicago.   In April 1975, the Richard Gray Gallery received a Fernand Leger lithograph entitled "Jeune femme a face." To Lewis "it was a veritable explosion in my head and heart. Very simple, extremely powerful. Drawn on paper, it was transferred to stone and retained the texture of the lines on the paper, giving it a subtle tone. Each line was so poignant and so inevitable, with the expression of serene directness on the face so magnetic that everything else paled before it."  Lewis was deeply inspired by Leger and worked for years writing a body of work on the artist, in contact with collectors, museums, and galleries in the U.S. and France.  In the end she could not achieve an agreement among the parties involved that would result in a published work.

        Above all, Lewis enjoyed experimenting with new techniques and materials and found more joy in the process of creating art than in the end product itself. She had a strong big-picture vision of her trajectory as an artist, and was fearless in combining mediums, both embracing and celebrating the accidental in her work.  Lewis believed that a certain amount of turbulence and contrast was necessary to form a kinetic harmony in her work.  As a result, her oeuvre includes oil paintings, various printmaking techniques, and her own black and white photography.  Her father was a photographer, and Lewis was inspired to experiment with the medium in her own work.  She enjoyed the unpredictability of adding photo emulsion to her paintings, and they often add a mysterious, subtle texture to her mixed media pieces.  Lewis’ role at the Richard Gray Gallery kept her aware of and in contact with many well-known Abstract Expressionist and Pop artists of that period.

        The Lewis family, which included Barbara, her husband Eugene, and their daughter Sara, traveled extensively.  Barbara drew inspiration from their trips and painted scenes from Europe, Mexico, and Egypt.  In 1983, Lewis and Sara took a three week long cruise down the Nile River in Egypt.  This trip sparked Lewis’ ongoing fascination with Egypt and upon their return she began her first series of Egypt paintings, which would eventually exhibit at the Mendocino Art Center.  Her subjects ranged from timeless architectural images to the human form, with a combination of modern and ancient elements.  The juxtaposition of the themes reflected Barbara’s belief that artists have a responsibility to show the way things have changed and not simply reflect the world as it used to be.

        In 1992, Lewis moved to the West Coast on a large parcel of land with ocean views near Fort Bragg, Northern California. She lived in a beautiful Arts and Craft-style home and held a separate studio on the property.  Lewis began exhibiting her work at the Mendocino Art Center and also showed work at the Gallery on the Rim in San Francisco, the Fort Bragg Center for the Arts and other venues in Mendocino, Fort Bragg, and Eureka.  Despite the increasing burden of Parkinson’s Disease, Lewis continued creating art until her death in November 2008.

        Many thanks to Sara Moore, Barbara’s daughter, and Teri Robertson-Lewis for bringing Barbara’s collection and story to us.  This collection was acquired through the estate of artist Barbara Lewis, family friend of Michael and Alice Mason.
      View All _|_ View Available _|_ View Sold
      Square Abstraction <br>1970's Serigraph<br><br>#C2365
      Square Abstraction
      1970's Serigraph

      #C2365
      Barbara Lewis $625
      Red and Pink Abstraction <br>1970 Watercolor<br><br>#C2366
      Red and Pink Abstraction
      1970 Watercolor

      #C2366
      Barbara Lewis $395
      <i>Martin's Girl</i><br>1968 Photo Serigraph<br><br>#C2368
      Martin's Girl
      1968 Photo Serigraph

      #C2368
      Barbara Lewis $525
      Monochromatic Duck <br>1940s Linoleum Block Print <br><br>#B5529
      Monochromatic Duck
      1940s Linoleum Block Print

      #B5529
      Barbara Lewis $485
      <I>Sphinx</I> <br>20th Century Acrylic <br><br>#B0917
      Sphinx
      20th Century Acrylic

      #B0917
      Barbara Lewis $2,650
      <I>Martin's Girl</I> <br>1968 Collage & Serigraph <br><br>#A1535
      Martin's Girl
      1968 Collage & Serigraph

      #A1535
      Barbara Lewis $565
      Primary-Color Abstract Cable Car City Scene <br>1970 Serigraph <br><br>#96329
      Primary-Color Abstract Cable Car City Scene
      1970 Serigraph

      #96329
      Barbara Lewis $445
      Abstracted Color Block Cityscape <br> 1970 Serigraph<br><br>#99058
      Abstracted Color Block Cityscape
      1970 Serigraph

      #99058
      Barbara Lewis $435
      Study of a Bird Skull <br>1969 Photograph <br><br>#96278
      Study of a Bird Skull
      1969 Photograph

      #96278
      Barbara Lewis $445
      Checkered Lily <br>20th Century Linoleum Block Print <br><br>#C0050
      Checkered Lily
      20th Century Linoleum Block Print

      #C0050
      Barbara Lewis Sold $195
      Sold
      Woman in Motion <br>Early 20th Century Ink <br><br>#C0034
      Woman in Motion
      Early 20th Century Ink

      #C0034
      Barbara Lewis Sold $145
      Sold
      Woman with Shawl <br>Early 20th Century Ink <br><br>#C0030
      Woman with Shawl
      Early 20th Century Ink

      #C0030
      Barbara Lewis $175
      Figure in Asian Robes <br>Early 20th Century Ink <br><br>#C0032
      Figure in Asian Robes
      Early 20th Century Ink

      #C0032
      Barbara Lewis Sold $175
      Sold
      Woman in Prayer <br>Early 20th Century Ink <br><br>#C0036
      Woman in Prayer
      Early 20th Century Ink

      #C0036
      Barbara Lewis $175
      Figure with Hat <br>Early 20th Century Ink <br><br>#C0038
      Figure with Hat
      Early 20th Century Ink

      #C0038
      Barbara Lewis Sold $195
      Sold
      Girl on a Swing <br>Early 20th Century Ink <br><br>#C0047
      Girl on a Swing
      Early 20th Century Ink

      #C0047
      Barbara Lewis Sold $175
      Sold
      Stylized Female Figure <br>1949 Ink <br><br>#C0042
      Stylized Female Figure
      1949 Ink

      #C0042
      Barbara Lewis Sold $145
      Sold
      Jaunty Gentleman <br>Mid Century Ink <br><br>#C0045
      Jaunty Gentleman
      Mid Century Ink

      #C0045
      Barbara Lewis Sold $165
      Sold
      Early 20th Century Charcoal Drawing of a Dog <br><br>#C0052
      Early 20th Century Charcoal Drawing of a Dog

      #C0052
      Barbara Lewis Sold $225
      Sold
      Tiny Mouse <br>20th Century Ink <br><br>#C0053
      Tiny Mouse
      20th Century Ink

      #C0053
      Barbara Lewis Sold $195
      Sold
      Double Sided Minimal Female Figure <br>1943 Ink & Charcoal <br><br>#A1585
      Double Sided Minimal Female Figure
      1943 Ink & Charcoal

      #A1585
      Barbara Lewis Sold $725
      Sold
      Monochromatic Stylized Buildings <br>1960s Linoleum Block Print <br><br>#B5585
      Monochromatic Stylized Buildings
      1960s Linoleum Block Print

      #B5585
      Barbara Lewis Sold $495
      Sold
      <i>2 Seated Egyptians</i> <br>20th Century Acrylic on Canvas <br><br>#B0920
      2 Seated Egyptians
      20th Century Acrylic on Canvas

      #B0920
      Barbara Lewis Sold $1,975
      Sold
      <i>Portugal</i> <br>1970 Watercolor <br><br>#B6374
      Portugal
      1970 Watercolor

      #B6374
      Barbara Lewis $395
      <i>Studies with Two Hands</i> <br>1969 Oil on Paper <br><br>#B5866
      Studies with Two Hands
      1969 Oil on Paper

      #B5866
      Barbara Lewis Sold $575
      Sold
      <i>Portugal</i> <br>1970 Watercolor <br><br>#B5861
      Portugal
      1970 Watercolor

      #B5861
      Barbara Lewis $395
      Modernist Abstracted Trees <br>1940-60s Watercolor <br><br>#B5832
      Modernist Abstracted Trees
      1940-60s Watercolor

      #B5832
      Barbara Lewis Sold $335
      Sold
      Black Bird in Abstraction <br>1940-60s Watercolor <br><br>#B5786
      Black Bird in Abstraction
      1940-60s Watercolor

      #B5786
      Barbara Lewis Sold $295
      Sold
      <i>Gatlinburg</i> <br>1947 Watercolor <br><br>#B5774
      Gatlinburg
      1947 Watercolor

      #B5774
      Barbara Lewis $265
      Moody Floral Still Life <br>1969 Watercolor <br><br>#B5853
      Moody Floral Still Life
      1969 Watercolor

      #B5853
      Barbara Lewis $485
      Monochromatic Abstracted Crane <br>1940-60s Watercolor <br><br>#B5844
      Monochromatic Abstracted Crane
      1940-60s Watercolor

      #B5844
      Barbara Lewis Sold $295
      Sold
      Abstracted Dog Painting <br>1960 Watercolor <br><br>#B5788
      Abstracted Dog Painting
      1960 Watercolor

      #B5788
      Barbara Lewis Sold $345
      Sold
      Dreamy Rose Still Life <br>1940-60s Watercolor <br><br>#B5840
      Dreamy Rose Still Life
      1940-60s Watercolor

      #B5840
      Barbara Lewis $285
      <i>Gatlinburg</i> <br>1940s Watercolor <br><br>#B5772
      Gatlinburg
      1940s Watercolor

      #B5772
      Barbara Lewis $265
      Blue & Green Geometric Abstract <br>1940-60s Watercolor <br><br>#B5851
      Blue & Green Geometric Abstract
      1940-60s Watercolor

      #B5851
      Barbara Lewis $345
      <i>Gatlinburg</i> <br>1947 Watercolor <br><br>#B5779
      Gatlinburg
      1947 Watercolor

      #B5779
      Barbara Lewis $265
      Golden Tower City Abstract <br>1961 Watercolor <br><br>#B5855
      Golden Tower City Abstract
      1961 Watercolor

      #B5855
      Barbara Lewis $435
      Abstracted Coastal Hillside Landscape <br>1942 Watercolor <br><br>#B5790
      Abstracted Coastal Hillside Landscape
      1942 Watercolor

      #B5790
      Barbara Lewis On Hold
      Abstracted Coastal Landscape <br>1942 Watercolor <br><br>#B5795
      Abstracted Coastal Landscape
      1942 Watercolor

      #B5795
      Barbara Lewis On Hold
      Cityscape in Blue & Black <br>1940-60s Watercolor <br><br>#B5793
      Cityscape in Blue & Black
      1940-60s Watercolor

      #B5793
      Barbara Lewis Sold $395
      Sold
      Deconstructed Ribcage Abstract <br>1960 Paint <br><br>#B5838
      Deconstructed Ribcage Abstract
      1960 Paint

      #B5838
      Barbara Lewis Sold $385
      Sold
      Sleeping Dog <br>1940s Ink <br><br>#B5762
      Sleeping Dog
      1940s Ink

      #B5762
      Barbara Lewis Sold $295
      Sold
      <i>Palais Royal</i> <br>1971 Serigraph <br><br>#B6381
      Palais Royal
      1971 Serigraph

      #B6381
      Barbara Lewis On Hold
      <i>Rondel</i> <br>1960 Stone Lithograph <br><br>#B5859
      Rondel
      1960 Stone Lithograph

      #B5859
      Barbara Lewis Sold $385
      Sold
      Bold Cactus Still Life <br>1960 Watercolor <br><br>#B5848
      Bold Cactus Still Life
      1960 Watercolor

      #B5848
      Barbara Lewis Sold $350
      Sold
      Red & Black Gestural Abstract <br>1969 Stone Lithograph <br><br>#B5857
      Red & Black Gestural Abstract
      1969 Stone Lithograph

      #B5857
      Barbara Lewis Sold $435
      Sold
      Abstracted Fruit Still Life <br>1947 Watercolor <br><br>#B5764
      Abstracted Fruit Still Life
      1947 Watercolor

      #B5764
      Barbara Lewis $200 $275
      Sold
      Loose Abstracted Trees <br>1940-60s Watercolor <br><br>#B5776
      Loose Abstracted Trees
      1940-60s Watercolor

      #B5776
      Barbara Lewis Sold $235
      Sold
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