Through my work at Good Find Stores, whether consignment selling or at estate sales, I am blessed to see a wide variety of fine art. Even more so since Southern California where I work and live is so rich with both artists and collectors. It is no coincidence that many quality pieces end up in my collection, or offered for sale here at www.goodfindstores.com. I have previously written about one such artist, Violet Parkhurst, which you can read about here: Two Burros
Today I want to share a little bit about three other women artists who lived and worked in the American west. These women were approximate contemporaries of Ms. Parkhurst (though one of them is a generation younger), and like her have left an enduring legacy through their work and their contributions to education and society. These three also have in common that I have collected some of their works together here at Good Find for your enjoyment. Let me introduce you to Eva Sikorski, Mildred Lapson Stevens, and Lynn Gertenbach.
Eva Sikorski
Eva Sikorski (1917–1990) was a German-American artist known for her diverse body of work, including portraits, figure paintings, nudes, landscapes, still lifes, and sculpture. Born in Germany, Sikorski developed an early interest in the arts, influenced by the Impressionist works she encountered in Berlin's museums. She was accepted into the Kunst Academy in Berlin, where she honed her skills in painting and sculpture.
After her education in Germany, Sikorski moved to the San Francisco Bay Area, where she continued her studies at Mills College under the guidance of Max Beckmann, a prominent artist of the time. She later taught portraiture and life drawing at the San Francisco Academy of Art from 1958 to 1965.
Sikorski's work is characterized by her personal and expressive interpretations of nature, and she often worked without models for her figurative pieces. Throughout her career, she also took on portrait commissions and explored sculpture, making her a versatile artist in multiple mediums.
Her works have been featured in various auctions, with pieces ranging in value depending on their size and medium. Sikorski's art continues to be appreciated for its unique style and personal touch (askART)
Mildred Lapson Stevens
Mildred Lapson Stevens (1923–2014) was an American artist known for her diverse contributions to the art world as a painter, teacher, and lecturer. Born in New York, she was trained in both New York and California, studying at institutions like the University of California, Los Angeles, and the Jepson Art Institute. Her work spans various subjects, including landscapes, portraits, and satirical pieces, often described as impressionistic. She also played a significant role in promoting art education in Southern California, founding the Monrovia Annual Festival of Art in 1963 (SoCal Artists Society).
Lynn Gertenbach
Lynn Gertenbach (1940–2023) was an American painter renowned for her vibrant landscapes and portraits, particularly in the plein air style. Her work was deeply inspired by the environments she loved, from the dramatic coastlines of Big Sur to the serene landscapes of California. Gertenbach traveled extensively, painting and exhibiting in various parts of the world, including Europe, South America, and Japan, where she held regular solo exhibitions.
Gertenbach began her formal art education at the Colorado Institute of Art, further honing her skills at institutions such as the Art Center College of Design in Pasadena and UCLA. Throughout her career, she received numerous accolades, including multiple Gold Medal awards and a Lifetime Achievement Award from the Colorado Institute of Art.
Her artistic contributions were not limited to landscapes; she also painted portraits of prominent figures such as Zubin Mehta and Ravi Shankar. Gertenbach was a signature member of prestigious art organizations, including the California Art Club and the Plein Air Painters of America, and her work has been featured in major exhibitions across the United States and abroad (OutdoorPainter) (Stephanies Art Gallery) (Cantor Art).
Celebrating the Artists
Gertenbach, Sikorski, and Stevens share common threads in their artistic journeys. All three artists were deeply influenced by their environments—whether it was the natural world, the human figure, or the vibrant art communities they were part of. Their works exhibit a commitment to capturing the essence of their subjects, whether through the soft hues of Gertenbach’s landscapes, the emotional depth of Sikorski’s figures, or the dynamic versatility of Stevens’ compositions.
Together, these artists illustrate the diverse ways in which painters can interpret the world around them, offering us a richer understanding of the beauty and complexity of life through their distinct yet interconnected artistic voices.
Leave a comment