Gleason, Joe Duncan (1881-1959).

Avalon (Catalina Harbor) by Joe Duncan Gleason (1881-1959) 16" x 21", Oil/Canvas, Signed Lower Right Est.: $25,000 - $35,000 Sold by John Moran Auctioneers for $161,000 on 2/20/2007 ARTIST WORLD RECORD

Marine painter, illustrator, muralist. Born in Watsonville, CA on Aug. 3, 1881.

Raised in Los Angeles, Gleason began drawing at an early age and by 14 was employed by the Union Engraving Company. His first art training began at the College of Fine Arts at USC under William Lees Judson.

In 1899 he moved to San Francisco where he continued his studies at the Mark Hopkins Institute while working as a commercial artist for the Sunset Engraving Company.

He had further study at the San Carlos Academy in Mexico City, AIC under Vanderpoel, and the ASL of NYC under DuMond.

After remaining in New York for about ten years, he returned to LA in 1910 and began concentrating on fine art. Although he painted portraits and landscapes, he is best known for the marine and harbor scenes which were done around San Pedro harbor.

He was author-illustrator of Windjammers, Islands of California, and Islands and Ports of California.

Gleason was also a fine gymnast, having won the Int’l Championship on the Roman Flying Rings eleven times.

In his later years he worked in the art departments of MGM and Warner Brothers studios. He died in Glendale on March 9, 1959.

Member: Santa Monica AA; Painters & Sculptors of LA (Pres., 1930-32); Academy of Western Painters, LA; Calif. Art Club; Long Beach AA; Artists of the SW. Exhibited: LACMA, 1924 (solo); GGIE, 1939; CPLH, 1945.

Awards: Gold medals, Calif.-Panama Expo, San Diego, 1915; first and second portrait prizes, Calif. State Fair, 1931.

Murals: Hotel Clark, LA; Gardena High School. AAA 1909-33; CA&A; WWAA 1936-56; WWC 1942; SCA; So. Calif. Artists 1890-1940.