Kerr, Vernon (1938-1982).

Landscape by Vernon Kerr (1938-1982) 16" x 20", Oil/Masonite, Signed Est.: $1,000 - $2,000 Sold by John Moran Auctioneers for $4,950 on 2/13/2001 ARTIST WORLD RECORD

Vernon Kerr, painter of luminous seascapes and landscapes as well as still life painter, worked in his own studio-gallery for twelve years in Mendocino, California, and then built another at Coeur d'Alene, Idaho, where he lived for four years with his former wife and four children.

He came from an artistic background. His mother was an accomplished pianist and also painted some beautiful florals in oil. His father was an architect and published some poetry. Vernon taught many classes in art in Southern California and in Idaho. In Mendocino, he assembled a group of artists for Thursday evening sessions, where they drew from the live model.

As a teenager, Kerr followed the example of the Old Masters and apprenticed for four years to Leon Franks. Later, after studies in the Orient as a Navy illustrator, in the Los Angeles Art Center, and with Sergei Bongart, Vernon operated his own art gallery in Laguna Beach, joined the Laguna Art Festival, and taught classes for several years. He and his family then moved near the salt-sprayed bluffs of Mendocino, California.

Vernon Kerr studied the Old Masters and believed in their discipline and versatility. His creations embraced seascape, landscape (including snow and desert), still-life, floral, portrait, figure and wildlife. His ambition: Freedom to paint anything, anywhere, any time. "Painting is not fun unless I am learning something new, and Nature is my greatest teacher."

He has wrote a book for Walter T. Foster, No 183 "How Vernon Kerr Paints Seascapes and Landscapes." He also circulated fifty prints through three publishers, Haddad, Texas Press and International Art.

Source:
www.vernonkerr.com