1950 - 1959BOTTEGA WORK
Bottega: Italian term meaning workshop or studio and referencing a place where an aspiring Italian artist learns from a master artist. The term also pertains to a workshop where assistants help a painter or sculptor execute a work that bears the signature of the supervising artist---the Master. During the Italian Renaissance, about 30 "botteghe" were in Florence, and one of the more famous was overseen by Leonardo Da Vinci. Source: Ralph Mayer, "A Dictionary of Art Terms and Techniques"
Bottega: Art gallery and artist workshop created by a group of midwestern artists from the Wichita area who embraced the Modern movement.
Collaborating, influencing and giving support to each other, the core group consisted of: David Cale, James Davis and Skip Harwick. (-and Pepper, a local stray cat.)
Later members included Bruce McGrew, John Alberty, Carol Chapel, Pete "Fritz" Felten, Georges B. Bishop and Paul "Pablo" Edwards.Bottega was in existence from roughly 1958 until 1962
Many pieces from the Bottega Group were recently purchased by the Oread Gallery in Lawrence Kansas, a venue that specializes in Kansas regional art and artists.
Lovers in a garden '??
Almost sure James Davis did this piece.
Portrait of Pepper 1 (Bottega pet)
by James Davis
Woman with Pepper (Bottega pet)
by James Davis (Pepper looks better fed)
Portrait of Pepper 2 (Bottega pet)
by David Cale
Two Nudes
Paul "Pablo" Edwards
Head Study
Bruce McGrew
Empty Fullness Like A Dream
Eugene L. "Skip" Harwick
Legend
Eugene L. "Skip" Harwick
Fancy Dancer
Eugene L. "Skip" HarwickMemorances of Bottega days...
From Carol Chapel:
I have one story you might enjoy. Dave had a basement studio (you'd better check the facts on this one - it was a long time ago) and he said that he was having "aesthetic experiences" while painting. He was feeling light headed and dizzy. Either Jim or Skip or Bruce or all three visited him while he was painting and watched. He was holding his breath. Whoever it was said "Breathe, man Breathe!" And that was it. Nothing mystic, just lack of air.1958
OIL PAINTINGS
Morning Mist
22" x 28"
Black Clouds and Beach
16" x 24 3/4"
Portrait of a Tree
15" x 21"
Fire Mountain
28" x 36"
Fall Country
15" x 21"
Harlequin
24" x 30"
Turbulent Landscape
28" x 40"
Christ and the Blind Man
26" x 30"
The Lost and the Lonely
15 7/8" x 24 1/2"
Storm Over Cherry Mountain
22" x 28"
Seated Nude
30" x 40"
1959
Young Girl
22" x 36"
Portrait of Pepper
18" x 22"
Girl With Red Hair
22" x 36"
Mother and Daughter
22" x 38"
Cats
34" x 40"
Nude With Cat
34" x 44"
Emergence
36" x 48"
Tang
22" x 26"
