Lester Raymer (1907-1991) untitled, still life with apples, oil on board, signed lower left, good condition, size with Raymer's frame 14.5x22.5. Lester Raymer, born in 1907, grew up on a farm just southwest of Alva, Ok. Raymer worked with a variety of art forms beginning in his early grade school years and continuing throughout his artistic career. He received his bachelor's degree in art from the Art Institute of Chicago. From 1934 to 1945 Raymer lived on his family farm and continued to develop his artwork. Raymer met Ramona Weddle from Lindsborg, KS and his future wife, at the Art Institute. In 1945, Lester and Ramona married and converted two barns and a laundry house into their home in Lindsborg. Raymer's art was influenced by his vast knowledge of art history, folk art from all cultures, circus themes and religious symbolism. Raymer's painting professor at the Chicago Art Institute was Boris Anisfield from Russia, and his art history professor was Helen Gardner, author of "Art Through the Ages”. Raymer talked often of the great influence his trips to Mexico and the Southwest and the traveling circuses of his childhood.Raymer won major awards and gained national recognition with his religious artwork and liturgical commissions. He taught one year at Bethany College as the painting instructor after Birger Sandzen retired and then became a fulltime studio artist. He utilized a variety of materials to produce a diverse body of work. Lamps, candleholders, furniture, and many of the sculptures in the studio were made to enhance his personal environment and were not for sale. His considered painting his most important work. Raymer was a studio artist in Lindsborg, KS from 1945 until his death in 1991.

good

14.5 x 22.5 x 1.25 in

2.3 lb