Edgar Payne

(1882-1947)

It was Edgar Payne's desire to become an artist from an early age. He began his career by painting murals for the theater, but as his career blossomed he developed his style as an artist, painting Plein Air in the natural California landscape, particularly the mountains, which he would access by the use of a pack horse. He had a great respect for nature and that feeling spoke through his work which exemplified the beauty and serenity of the landscapes which he painted.

In 1912 Edgar married his wife, Elsie Palmer, and they had a daughter Evelyn in 1914. Edgar earned his first major commission in the year of 1917, when the Santa Fe railroad asked him to do paintings of the Southwest, which led to some of his most memorable works of scenes of Yosemite, landscapes of the Four Corners area, and paintings of the Navajo Indians.

In 1918 Edgar and Elise moved to the Laguna Beach area, and formed the Laguna Beach Art Association, becoming the group's first President. He produced many wonderful California Impressionist paintings of the landscapes of the Laguna area. He was known for his wet in wet technique, below see a fine example of his work "San Gabriel Valley," painted in 1916.

To see some examples of my work click this link to go to My Portfolio of Paintings