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The Magic of Al Sprague
Born: December 21, 1938
Education: B.A. American University; M.A. American University; Thesis - Figurative Painting Organized with the principle of Shared Emphasis Between figure and Environment.
Among Al Sprague's many distinctions, six United States and Panamenian Government Postage Stamps have been issued using Al Sprague original art. He was comissioned by the Panama Canal Commission to paint the 70th and 75th Anniverseries of the Panama Canal. In 1990 he was commissioned by the United States Army to create combat paintings depicting the United States Invasion of Panama, 'Operation Just Cause.'
Presidents of the United States, France, Spain, Venezuela, Mexico, Columbia, Panama, and Brazil are among the important collectors of Al Sprague's art.
His work has also been on display in the White House, Pentagon, Panama Canal Headquarters, Department of the Army, United States Art-in-Embassies Collection, Chase Manhattan bank, Bank of America and several of the finest Art Galleries in the United States, Bahama Islands and Panama.
 "Windswept"
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Essentialism
"The primary tenet of essentialism is that the human eye (and brain) cannot absorb all the visual detail that is presented to it. Thus, in order to make sense of what it encounters, the eye seeks to identify the integral components that give immediate recognition and understanding.
Essentialism is the attempt, through artistic rendering, to replicate that search for what is essential. The painter or sculptor presents only what is vital so that the perceiver can comprehend the subject in the context of the surrounding environment.
Essentialism uses abstraction to isolate the vital components and recreate them; the work appears realistic because it mimics the way reality is perceived."
Al Sprague, Father of Essentialism |
