Gregory D. Ridley, Jr. (1925-2004) American artist from Tennessee. Abstract Oil on board, still life. Restored. Greg Ridley, born in Smyrna, TN, was an African-American artist and teacher. He moved with his family to Nashville, TN in 1936. After his service in the US Navy during WWII, he earned a degree in art education from Tennessee State University, and went on to become the first person of color to receive a master's degree in fine arts from the University of Louisville. Ridley also attended Fisk University (where he later worked), and where he studied under Aaron Douglas, the Harlem renaissance painter and muralist, who remained a close friend and mentor until his death in 1979. Ridley enjoyed a long career as a teacher at various Southern universities as well as the City University of New York. One of his last works was the creation of 80 copper panels for the Grand Reading Room of the Nashville Public Library, Nashville, Tennessee.Signed lower right. Overall size: 29 x 33 in. Sight size: 27 1/2 x 31 1/2 in.