Menu
  • | All Art
  • | New Arrivals
  • I Bernard Zawisa
  • | Gaétan Caron
  • | Rob Delamater
  • | Curator's Vault
  • | Book Your Visit
  • | Artist by Name
  • | Art by Category
    • Abstract
    • Figurative
    • Landscape
    • Still Life
  • | Art by Medium
    • Drawings & Watercolors
    • Limited Edition Prints
    • Mixed Media
    • Paintings
    • Photography
    • Printmaking
    • Sculptures & Objects
  • | Services
    • Rentals
    • Shipping
    • Framing
    • Our Acquisition Process
    • Installation & Design
    • FAQ for Designers
  • 1 (415) 861-1530
  • Login
Lost Art Salon
0

  • 1 (415) 861-1530
  •  Wishlist
  • Login
0

Your Cart is Empty

Continue Shopping
    • $0 Subtotal
    • Taxes and shipping calculated at checkout

    Lost Art Salon
    • | All Art
    • | New Arrivals
    • I Bernard Zawisa
    • | Gaétan Caron
    • | Rob Delamater
    • | Curator's Vault
    • | Book Your Visit
    • | Artist by Name
    • | Art by Category
      • Abstract
      • Figurative
      • Landscape
      • Still Life
    • | Art by Medium
      • Drawings & Watercolors
      • Limited Edition Prints
      • Mixed Media
      • Paintings
      • Photography
      • Printmaking
      • Sculptures & Objects
    • | Services
      • Rentals
      • Shipping
      • Framing
      • Our Acquisition Process
      • Installation & Design
      • FAQ for Designers
      Ross & Eileen Curtis

      Ross & Eileen Curtis

      Artist

      Category

      Medium

      Color

      Size

      Price

      Availability

      Framed

      Unframed

      Previous Artist Next Artist

      Ross Curtis (1918-2007) & Eileen Reynolds Curtis (1915-1977)

      • The Collection
      • Ross Curtis
      • Eileen Reynolds Curtis

      • Ross Curtis was a California Expressionist painter and sculptor. He was the co-founder of an intimate group of noted Northern California artists known as the “Sausalito Teahouse Group”. He was a man described as generous, determined and politically impassioned.

        Curtis’s sculptures and paintings were well recognized, and his shows included a 1952 one-man show at the Michoacan Museum in Morelia, Mexico, the 1954 National Annual Sculpture Show at San Francisco Museum of Modern Art, and a ceramic sculpture retrospective at the Jan Holloway Gallery in 1990.

        Under the influence of his friend and artistic mentor, Richard Van Wingerden (known as “Van” to his friends), Curtis developed a very personal style of California Expressionism. Curtis was a staunch humanist and an impassioned supporter of the Black Panther Group of Marin and the rights of workers. He used his Expressionist style to draw attention to the human condition and the challenges of his subjects. Amongst his political pieces there are titles such as “James Meredith Enters Old Miss”, “King of the Civil Rights Movement”, and “Huey Newton Confronts the Archangel Gabriel in the Garden of Eden”.

        Expressionists used modernist deconstructive techniques in their work to make the viewers aware of the negative realities of the dispossessed, the evils of war and the dangers of social conformism. They did so through the structural, linear or tactile distortion of familiar forms and the exaggeration or omission of common features. Some of their techniques included flattening outlines, defining and exaggerating shape and volume, and the distortion of color, form, line and movement to bring out their emotional reaction to the subject.

        A lover of the land, Curtis was also drawn to paint the countryside of Marin and Sonoma Counties. He would take his truck out to the remote back roads of the area and set up his materials (watercolors and oils) to paint directly in the outdoors. His California Expressionist style can be clearly seen in these landscapes. The images rely less on a true interpretation of the scene, and instead pursue a serious play with color, texture, brushstrokes and form, at times almost moving towards abstraction.

        Another major influence on Curtis and his Expressionist style and subjects was his time spent in Morelia, Mexico in the early 1950s. There he studied under the Mexican revolutionary muralist, Alfredo Zalce, and had contact with Diego Rivera.

        Curtis was born in Lincoln Center, Kansas to artistic parents. As an adult he traveled west with his mother and brother, where he would settle in the San Francisco and Sausalito area for the remainder of his life. The West brought a new life to Curtis, and after serving in WWII he turned to art. He would become a lifelong friend to fellow artist Richard Van Wingerden (“Van”), who would greatly influence Curtis.

        All the way back to his boyhood, there was a history of photographers and poets in the family that influenced Curtis. He began to study painting shortly after WWII where he served as a meteorologist. He studied at the California College of the Arts in the evenings while he worked during the days to support himself. He met his close friend and mentor at a local art school in the Marina district, and Van offered to share studio space with Curtis. At the school Curtis also met his future wife Eileen Reynolds, who was a well-known potter.

        At this time Curtis was married to a young woman named Nona, and together they had a son. Curtis decided to move his family along with him on an artistic sojourn to Morelia, Mexico. There he studied at the University of Michoacan, receiving his master’s degree. During this time Curtis also studied under the well-known revolutionary muralist Alfredo Zalce. In Mexico, Curtis also learned how to do hollow sculpture and he had the pleasure of meeting Diego Rivera, who said Curtis was “a real sculptor”. While in Mexico, Curtis had a one-man exposition displaying both paintings and sculpture at the Michoacan Museum in 1952.

        After two years in Mexico, Curtis returned to California and attended the San Francisco Art Institute. At this time his marriage began to dissolve, and at the same time his friend Eileen Reynolds became single after the passing of her husband. Curtis began to study pottery with Eileen, while still being mentored in painting, drawing and printmaking by Van. In the late 1950’s Curtis began to live with Eileen in the Russian Hill district, and they were married shortly thereafter. Soon they would purchase a farm in Sausalito in 1960. At the Farm Curtis was inspired to paint landscapes, many of which can be seen in the Lost Art Salon collection. In 1960, Curtis also taught Asian art history as well as graphics at Marin College.

        The Farm became not just a home for him and Eileen, but an artist’s enclave. Curtis built a potter studio with Van, and later they acquired a Japanese Teahouse that had been a part of 1904 World's Fair in St. Louis. The Teahouse was intended as a place to display their work.

        After moving to Sausalito, Eileen and Ross decided to take a trip to Spain for a year to study art history, Moorish art and architecture as well as sculpture and pottery.

        When they returned, their farm and the Teahouse became the setting for regular art events. The first exposition was for the artist Russell Chatham who was mentored by Ross and often found shelter at Ross' farm house in Sausalito. Paintings were exchanged.. Today Chatham is well known as a skilled lithographer and landscape painter. Curtis and Van’s art shows were enlivened by beautiful banquets of food and wine prepared by Eileen. Some of the artists that spent their time at the Teahouse included Mary Perry Stone, Emmy Lou Packard, Ed Haggendorn, Byron Randall and Charlie Safford.

        During the 1960’s and 70’s Ross Curtis’s art became heavily influenced by his political expressions. One of Curtis’ most profound political influences was the Black Panthers of Marin County. A group that focused on racial issues, Curtis’ work reflected their struggle, and his paintings became filled with bolder colors, black lines and flattened forms. He did many sculptures and paintings during this political phase, including the painting depicting James Meredith entering the University of Mississippi.

        In 1969 Curtis’ long time friend Van died in a sudden car crash. Ross and Eileen continued to travel together, and in 1976 they experienced Italy and Greece for a year, some of Curtis’s paintings reflect this landscape. When they returned, Eileen passed away suddenly in 1977.

        Being alone on the farm, Curtis decided to rent some of the rooms of the farmhouse. This brought young artists and youthful energy to the place and reignited some of the former passion that had existed there. One of the boarders at his farm was a woman named Hilary. She was from England, and after her visit she returned home. Curtis went to England on his own will to romance her, and he took her on a whirlwind trip to Portugal. While in Portugal he started an art school in Montemor-o-Novo. The small town near Evora was well known for its pottery. The school would be a place where they would return for ten years in the summers.

        The art shows continued at the Teahouse on the farm, they were smaller events, but they would exhibit Curtis’ pottery as well as other artists work. After a long life, of travel, art, love and loss, Curtis died in 2007. It was Hilary, his partner for his last years that brought his and Van’s collection to the attention of Lost Art Salon. The art can now be enjoyed, as it would have similarly been at the teahouse in Sausalito.

        Sort by Ross Curtis _|_ View Available _|_ View Sold
      • Eileen grew up among traditional American country artists along the Ohio River in Indiana, which her distinctive pottery reveals with great delicacy. Here exposure to the jugs and bowls of the Ohio River Potters combined with her love for Northern California nature and clay were instrumental in the forming of her unique earthenware pieces.

        Eileen first established her studio in the 1940s in the back of an old garage on Russian Hill in San Francisco. Later Eileen would marry fellow Northern California artist, Ross Curtis and the two would build their own ceramic studio and kiln on their property in Sausalito and show the work in the Japanese Teahouse on the property. Over the years, Ross and Eileen began to work collaboratively. Eileen threw the forms and Ross painted many of the decorative motifs.

        Early on, Eileen had a professional relationship with Heath Ceramics prior to it's signature style factory. Ross and Eileen decided to set up their own pottery studio because of differing styles and their interest in wheel thrown pieces. They sold her pots to Gump's Gallery in San Francisco and other downtown fine crafts shops.

        Her work has been greatly honored by many shows and awards from several museums, including the Syracuse Museum of Ceramic Prize of 1948, and the purchase and display of her pottery by the Museum of Faenze in Italy.

        Principal Exhibitions and Collections Include:

        San Francisco Museum of Modern Art, San Francisco, CA
        The Oakland Museum, Oakland, CA
        California Palace of the Legion of Honor, San Francisco, CA
        M.H. de Young Memorial Museum, San Francisco, CA
        Crocker Museum of Art, Sacramento, CA
        Smithsonian Institute, Washington DC
        National Ceramic Museum, Faenza, Italy
        Detroit Institute of Arts, Detroit, MI
        Syracuse Museum of Ceramic, Syracuse, NY

        Sort by Eileen Curtis _|_ View Available _|_ View Sold
      View All _|_ View Available _|_ View Sold
      <i>Avocado Plants</i><br>Acrylic, 1940-70s<br><br>#5368
      Avocado Plants
      Acrylic, 1940-70s

      #5368
      Ross Curtis Sold $295
      Sold
      <i>Graduation of James Meridith</i><br>Mid Century Acrylic<br><br>#5366
      Graduation of James Meridith
      Mid Century Acrylic

      #5366
      Ross Curtis Sold $775
      Sold
      Modernist Abstracted Figures<br>1940-70s, Lithograph<br><br>#5379
      Modernist Abstracted Figures
      1940-70s, Lithograph

      #5379
      Ross Curtis Sold $265
      Sold
      Mid Century Dish<br>Ceramic<br><br>#13002
      Mid Century Dish
      Ceramic

      #13002
      Eileen Curtis Sold $135
      Sold
      <i>El Gato Blanco</i><br>Acrylic, 1940-70s<br><br>#5312
      El Gato Blanco
      Acrylic, 1940-70s

      #5312
      Ross Curtis Sold $335
      Sold
      <i>Campesino, The Country Farmer</i><br>Oil, 1940-70s<br><br>#4826
      Campesino, The Country Farmer
      Oil, 1940-70s

      #4826
      Ross Curtis Sold $875
      Sold
      Golden Country Road<br>Mid Century Oil<br><br>#4937
      Golden Country Road
      Mid Century Oil

      #4937
      Ross Curtis Sold $545
      Sold
      Simplistic Ink Drawing<br>Mid Century Ink on Paper<br><br>#31645
      Simplistic Ink Drawing
      Mid Century Ink on Paper

      #31645
      Ross Curtis $115
      Mexican Street Scene<br>Mid Century Monochromatic Lithograph<br><br>#5388
      Mexican Street Scene
      Mid Century Monochromatic Lithograph

      #5388
      Ross Curtis Sold $275
      Sold
      Simple Botanical Drawing<br>Mid Century Graphite<br><br>#5322
      Simple Botanical Drawing
      Mid Century Graphite

      #5322
      Ross Curtis $165
      Mountainous Range<br>Oil, 1940-50s<br><br>#4301
      Mountainous Range
      Oil, 1940-50s

      #4301
      Ross Curtis Sold $535
      Sold
      Minimalist Seated Figure<br>Mid Century, Ink Wash on Paper<br><br>#44369
      Minimalist Seated Figure
      Mid Century, Ink Wash on Paper

      #44369
      Ross Curtis Sold $275
      Sold
      Swimmers At The Beach<br>Mid Century Watercolor<br><br>#5364
      Swimmers At The Beach
      Mid Century Watercolor

      #5364
      Ross Curtis Sold $475
      Sold
      Seated Abstracted Figures<br>Oil, 1940-50s<br><br>#4300
      Seated Abstracted Figures
      Oil, 1940-50s

      #4300
      Ross Curtis Sold $465
      Sold
      Northern California Orchard<br>Oil, 1940-50s<br><br>#4293
      Northern California Orchard
      Oil, 1940-50s

      #4293
      Ross Curtis Sold $545
      Sold
      Graphic Political Scene<br>Oil, 1940-70s<br><br>#4822
      Graphic Political Scene
      Oil, 1940-70s

      #4822
      Ross Curtis Sold $1,255
      Sold
      Minimalist Black & White Still Life<br>1960's Ink Drawing<br><br>#9979
      Minimalist Black & White Still Life
      1960's Ink Drawing

      #9979
      Ross Curtis Sold $375
      Sold
      Grazing Sheep<br>Mid Century Watercolor<br><br>#5393
      Grazing Sheep
      Mid Century Watercolor

      #5393
      Ross Curtis Sold $275
      Sold
      Simplistic Abstract<br>1960s Ink Drawing<br><br>#9985
      Simplistic Abstract
      1960s Ink Drawing

      #9985
      Ross Curtis Sold $325
      Sold
      Small Framed Landscape<br>Mid Century Oil<br><br>#4933
      Small Framed Landscape
      Mid Century Oil

      #4933
      Ross Curtis Sold $645
      Sold
      Monochrome Still Life of A Vase<br>1960's Ink Drawing<br><br>#9978
      Monochrome Still Life of A Vase
      1960's Ink Drawing

      #9978
      Ross Curtis Sold $135
      Sold
      Vibrant Seated Nude<br>Mid Century Oil<br><br>#4823
      Vibrant Seated Nude
      Mid Century Oil

      #4823
      Ross Curtis Sold $475
      Sold
      Vivid Abstracted Figure<br>Mid Century Oil<br><br>#4829
      Vivid Abstracted Figure
      Mid Century Oil

      #4829
      Ross Curtis Sold $895
      Sold
      Monochrome Still Life<br>Mid Century Ink Drawing<br><br>#31655
      Monochrome Still Life
      Mid Century Ink Drawing

      #31655
      Ross Curtis Sold $115
      Sold
      Glistening Moon in Red<br>Mid Century, Gouache on Paper<br><br>#31791
      Glistening Moon in Red
      Mid Century, Gouache on Paper

      #31791
      Ross Curtis $175
      <i>Funeral</i><br>1940-70s Lithograph<br><br>#5392
      Funeral
      1940-70s Lithograph

      #5392
      Ross Curtis $335
      Monochrome Abstract<br>1960s Ink Drawing<br><br>#9988
      Monochrome Abstract
      1960s Ink Drawing

      #9988
      Ross Curtis Sold $375
      Sold
      Leaning Female Nude<br>Mid Century Mixed Media<br><br>#5375
      Leaning Female Nude
      Mid Century Mixed Media

      #5375
      Ross Curtis $235
      <i>Four Figures</i><br>1940-70s Lithograph<br><br>#5387
      Four Figures
      1940-70s Lithograph

      #5387
      Ross Curtis $385
      <i>Kathy</i><br>1940-70s, Ceramic Bust<br><br>#5033
      Kathy
      1940-70s, Ceramic Bust

      #5033
      Ross Curtis $1,700
      Portrait of a Man<br>Mid Century Oil<br><br>#4885
      Portrait of a Man
      Mid Century Oil

      #4885
      Ross Curtis Sold $655
      Sold
      Figures on A Doorstep<br>Mid Century Oil<br><br>#4819
      Figures on A Doorstep
      Mid Century Oil

      #4819
      Ross Curtis Sold $1,075
      Sold
      Minimalist Ink Drawing<br>Mid Century Ink on Paper<br><br>#31641
      Minimalist Ink Drawing
      Mid Century Ink on Paper

      #31641
      Ross Curtis Sold $115
      Sold
      Monochromatic Line Drawing<br>Mid Century Ink on Paper<br><br>#31644
      Monochromatic Line Drawing
      Mid Century Ink on Paper

      #31644
      Ross Curtis Sold $115
      Sold
      <i>Huey Newton Confronts the Archangel Gabriel in the Garden of Eden</i><br>Biblical Oil Scene<br><br>#4821
      Huey Newton Confronts the Archangel Gabriel in the Garden of Eden
      Biblical Oil Scene

      #4821
      Ross Curtis Sold $1,295
      Sold
      Monochromatic Drawing of A Turkey<br>1960s Ink Wash on Paper<br><br>#9984
      Monochromatic Drawing of A Turkey
      1960s Ink Wash on Paper

      #9984
      Ross Curtis Sold $135
      Sold
      Monochromatic Drawing of A Bowl<br>1960s Ink Drawing<br><br>#9975
      Monochromatic Drawing of A Bowl
      1960s Ink Drawing

      #9975
      Ross Curtis Sold $375
      Sold
      Monochromatic Ink Drawing<br>Mid Century Ink on Paper<br><br>#31643
      Monochromatic Ink Drawing
      Mid Century Ink on Paper

      #31643
      Ross Curtis $125
      Vivid Cityscape<br>Watercolor, 1940-70s<br><br>#5348
      Vivid Cityscape
      Watercolor, 1940-70s

      #5348
      Ross Curtis Sold $265
      Sold
      Northern California Abstracted Landscape<br>1940-70s Oil on Board<br><br>#4241
      Northern California Abstracted Landscape
      1940-70s Oil on Board

      #4241
      Ross Curtis Sold $245
      Sold
      Eileen Curtis Sculpture & Object - Lost Art Salon
      Vines & Leaves
      Mid Century Ceramic

      #5051
      Eileen Curtis Sold $125
      Sold
      Eileen Curtis Sculpture & Object - Lost Art Salon
      Cream-Colored Ceramic
      Mid Century

      #5031
      Eileen Curtis Sold $135
      Sold
      Eileen Curtis Sculpture & Object - Lost Art Salon
      Mid Century Ceramic

      #5030
      Eileen Curtis Sold $125
      Sold
      Eileen Curtis Sculpture & Object - Lost Art Salon
      Petit Ceramic Cup
      Mid Century

      #5028
      Eileen Curtis Sold $145
      Sold
      Eileen Curtis Sculpture & Object - Lost Art Salon
      Two-Toned Ceramic
      Mid Century

      #5027
      Eileen Curtis Sold $235
      Sold
      Eileen Curtis Sculpture & Object - Lost Art Salon
      Marks & Tallies
      Mid Century Ceramic

      #5026
      Eileen Curtis Sold $145
      Sold
      Eileen Curtis Sculpture & Object - Lost Art Salon
      Tall & Dark Ceramic
      Mid Century

      #5024
      Eileen Curtis Sold $125
      Sold
      Eileen Curtis Sculpture & Object - Lost Art Salon
      Original Teal Ceramic
      Mid Century

      #5023
      Eileen Curtis Sold $275
      Sold
      1 2 Next
      Information
      • Contact

      • Our Acquisition Process

      • About Us

      • Plan Your Visit

      • Press & Projects

      • Policies

      • Meet the Experts

      • Job Opportunities

      Services
      • Rentals

      • Shipping

      • Framing

      • Installation & Design

      • FAQ for Designers

      • Digital Gift Certificates

      © 2023 Lost Art Salon. Powered by Shopify

      Learn about new collections, special offers and events

      Learn about new collections, special offers and events