Description: This is an expressive and finely rendered Vintage Old Native American Indian Southwest Oil Painting on artist board, by esteemed early California Western artist, historian and amateur archaeologist Charles LaMonk (1910 - 1990.) This work depicts the portrait of an old and wizened Native American man, who shyly looks away from the viewer's gaze. LaMonk was known for his attention to detail, and the realistic facial expressions and emotions that were incorporated into his Native American portraits, and this is no exception. It is easily one of his finest portrait paintings that I have seen over the years. Signed: "LaMonk" in the lower right corner. This artwork likely dates to the late 1950's - 1960's. Approximately 19 x 23 inches (including frame.) Actual artwork is approximately 12 x 16 inches. Very good condition for age, with a few light scuffs to the canvas, and mild - moderate scuffing and edge wear to the original period frame (please see photos.) Acquired from an old collection in Los Angeles County, California. LaMonk's original artworks are held in the collections of the Lancaster Museum of Art & History, the Antelope Valley Indian Museum, the California State Parks Museum Collections, and the State of Utah Alice Merrill Horne Art Collection. If you like what you see, I encourage you to make an Offer. Please check out my other listings for more wonderful and unique artworks! About the Artist: Charles Samuel LaMonk Born: 1910 - Kemmerer, WyomingDied: 1990 - Los Angeles, CaliforniaKnown for: Figure, portrait, Indian, petroglyph Charles Samuel LaMonk (1910 - 1990) was active/lived in California, Wyoming. Charles LaMonk is known for Figure, portrait, Indian, petroglyph.A painter in realist style of American and Central Mexican Indians as well as caves and canyons of the Southwest landscape, Charles La Monk was born in Kemmerer, Wyoming in 1910. He settled in Palmdale, California and operated the Artist's Gallery. He was known for painting a portrait from memory while lecturing on the heritage of his subject and then concluding both the lecture and the painting at the same time.He graduated from the art department at Los Angeles Trade Tech and studied privately with Will Foster and at the Chouinard Art Institute. His stated purpose of his painting is to "capture on canvas the haunting emotion of the Indian people whose every ounce of strength is consumed in daily survival."Source: Contemporary Western Artists by Peggy and Harold Samuels. Charles LaMonk Arrived in California from Wyoming in the mid-1920s. Attended Frank Wiggins Trade School, now known as Los Angeles Trade Tech, and earned a degree in Commercial art. he spent three years in the Chouinard Art Institute in Los Angeles and continued as a private student of Will Foster, in portrait painting for eight years. During the time he lived in the Antelope Valley he was employed as an advertising artist for the Valley Outdoor Advertising Company of Lancaster. Charles LaMonkCharles Samuel LaMonk (1910-1990) was a beloved local artist known for his sensitive renditions of American and Central Mexican Natives. LaMonk was also known for his landscapes which included caves and canyons, along with traditional Native American rock art.LaMonk graduated from the art department at Los Angeles Trade Tech and studied privately with Will Foster and at the Chouinard Art Institute. Finding inspiration in local archaeology, LaMonk moved to the valley in 1955.While living in Palmdale, LaMonk ran an Artist’s Gallery where he would often lecture on the basis and motivation of his work's subject matter while painting. He once stated the overall purpose of his artwork was to, "capture on canvas the haunting emotion of the Indian people whose every ounce of strength [was] consumed in daily survival."By using eroded sand and rock applied over a white base, LaMonk was able to produce realistic depictions of ancient petroglyphs. The pictographs, however, were painted on a simple base using frayed deer-hide on a stick. Through experimentation, LaMonk was able to find a way that allowed him to produce the strokes and dots of the ancient rock artists.Here at Lancaster MOAH, we have an extensive collection of LaMonk's work; although most of his paintings are housed within our permanent collection, there are three on display at the Elyze Clifford Interpretive Center, located within the Prime Desert Woodland Preserve. Tickets Available for Metamorphosis: The Inaugural Museum GalaEvent to Benefit Lancaster Museum/Art GalleryPost Date:09/29/2009 10:00 AMTickets are still available for Metamorphosis: The Inaugural Museum Gala to benefit the Lancaster Museum/Art Gallery Associates (LMAGA). The gala will take place this Saturday, Oct. 3 at 5:30 pm at the newly completed Arbor Artist Lofts in Downtown Lancaster.“The arts are often looked upon as something extraneous, as something that can be easily done away with in difficult economic times,” said Mayor R. Rex Parris. “This is simply not true. The arts form an integral part of the human existence, and are an essential component to every vibrant and thriving community. I urge our residents to express their support for the arts in Lancaster by joining us for this weekend’s gala.”Saturday evening’s entertainment will include a cocktail reception and silent auction; an elegant sit-down dinner; a live auction featuring the five life-size antelope statues from the Antelopes on Parade program; and live performances headlined by rockabilly sensations Big Sandy and His Fly-Rite Boys.Through the support of many individuals, organizations and businesses, LMAGA also has many other spectacular items up for auction. Guests will have an opportunity to bid on several unique works of art. Among the items available are an original painting by Charles LaMonk, a highly collectible artist from the Antelope Valley; a brightly-colored painting by Albert Contreras, whose work is collected by museums nationwide; and a private portrait commission by internationally renowned artist Don Bachardy, who over the past fifty years has painted many luminaries of southern California. His notable clients have included Aldous Huxley, Bette Davis and Angelina Jolie.Proceeds from the gala will benefit the museum as it prepares to move to a new facility on Lancaster Boulevard, which will be remodeled for that purpose. The evening will also provide an opportunity for community members, artists and other stakeholders to gather in support of the arts and become a part of the museum’s metamorphosis.“It’s truly exciting to be part of the many changes that are taking place in Downtown Lancaster,” said Nicholas West, LMAG Curator. “We are creating a beautiful new facility that will soon emerge as a regional center for arts engagement in the Antelope Valley. We will continue to provide unique and thought-provoking exhibits from our stellar pool of local artists, and we hope to expand our programs to bring even more high-quality exhibitions to the residents of Lancaster. The funds raised at the Metamorphosis gala will help us achieve these goals, as well as providing additional funding to expand existing programs such as the Traveling Museum Trunks, which bring historical artifacts directly to children in our community.”The gala will be held at the Arbor Artist Lofts on Lancaster Boulevard between Elm and Date Avenues. The newly opened facility, built by local developer Scott Ehrlich, provides low-cost housing for artists. It also features an art gallery, which provides tenants with a public space in which to exhibit their work.The Metamorphosis gala is presented by the City of Lancaster Museum/Art Gallery, the Lancaster Museum/Art Gallery Associates, Painted Desert Ranch LLC and Leona Valley Winery.
Price: 475 USD
Location: Orange, California
End Time: 2024-08-25T20:32:28.000Z
Shipping Cost: N/A USD
Product Images
Item Specifics
All returns accepted: ReturnsNotAccepted
Artist: Charles LaMonk
Signed By: Charles LaMonk
Size: Medium
Signed: Yes
Material: Oil, Artist Board
Region of Origin: California, USA
Framing: Framed
Subject: Americana, Men, Portrait, Western, Native Americans
Type: Painting
Original/Licensed Reproduction: Original
Item Height: 23 in
Style: Impressionism, Portraiture, Realism
Features: One of a Kind (OOAK)
Production Technique: Oil Painting
Country/Region of Manufacture: United States
Handmade: Yes
Item Width: 19 in
Time Period Produced: 1960-1969