Ms Meibao
575-751-6001
meibao@taosorganicbb.com

Rare Photographs of Painter Sam Francis Unveiled in Portfolio

TAOS, NM – A collection of rare photographs, entitled, “Love is both deep and gliding on the surface,” of renowned painter, Sam Francis, is being offered in a new portfolio by photographer Ms Meibao, a longtime friend of the artist.

Sam Francis gained fame in the 1950s for his large mural-sized paintings that were dominated by the color white and bordered by colorful clusters of free forms. He continued in this style throughout his career. In the 1970s and 1980s, his work evolved to reflect a greater degree of structure. Born in San Mateo, CA in 1923, Francis painted his first abstract picture in 1947 and was influenced by the work of Monet, impressed by Jackson Pollock, and attracted to oriental, especially Japanese, culture. Francis, who traveled extensively and lived at various times in Japan, Switzerland and Paris, exhibited his paintings widely throughout the world.

The 13 black and white candid photographs were taken by Ms Meibao between the years 1977-1988. Francis, who died in 1994, had a career that spanned nearly half a century. He is considered one of the most important painters among the American abstract expressionists.

Ms Meibao selected the 13 photographs from numerous ones she shot. Several of these images portray an uninhibited Francis in total immersion in his work, deep into his process of creating. The photographs bring out a quality rarely seen by others. They are an intimate look into the soul of an artist.

The first image is a formal picture of a smiling Francis, one that people who knew him recognize and love. A second image portrays his trickster self, the seductive devil's advocate, unveiling hidden truths. The subsequent images pulls the viewer into Francis' painting process—exuberantly mixing paint, a long shot of a huge mural on the floor of the Venice Studio with Francis gliding on the surface, close-ups of his hands and face in the act of creating. There are beautiful shots of Francis dancing on the canvas in his briefs, dabbling paint in arcs of love. Francis contemplating his work, deep in thought. Images of his tools—brushes, rollers, paints--that speak volumes of the scope of his work. The final image of his eyes pulls the viewer into his soul to see the depth of his passion for art and life.

The archival photographs in this portfolio are printed on 100% cotton Moab Entrada Natural Rag 300, beautifully printed by master printer, Keith Schreiber, who worked at the Center for Photographic Studies in Tucson, AZ. The box is linen bound with a reproduction of Untitled, 1976, SF76-1149.

The beautifully assembled portfolio sells for $1600.00 + S&H + Tax