James Augustus McLean
(1904-1989)

James McLean was born in 1904 in the rural foothills of the North Carolina Mountains. McLean knew early on that he wanted to study art; however there were very few opportunities in North Carolina in those days. In 1923 the young artist answered an ad to attend the Pennsylvania Academy of Fine Arts in Philadelphia. His submission was accepted and he spent five years studying under noted artists Daniel Garber, Charles Garner and Joseph Pearson. A Cresson Scholarship allowed McLean to further travel and study in Italy, France and Germany.

On completing his education, McLean returned to North Carolina to open the Southern School of the Creative Arts in Raleigh in 1929. This early effort towards art education was short lived with the subsequent stock market crash and the Great Depression; however McLean continued to be active in teaching art throughout the rest of his career.

During the '30s McLean worked on a number of WPA projects including murals for universities, high schools, and libraries. McLean was the staff artist at WUNC TV for 12 years in the 1950s and 1960s and exhibited at PAFA, The Ogunquit Summer Art Show, the High Museum, and the NC State Art Society annual exhibitions. he also devoted time as a lecturer at UNC-Chapel Hill and NC State University. McLean was a major contributor and promoter of art in North Carolina. He leaves an impact and a legacy that cannot be measured.

The curator for this exhibition is Mr. Ed Alexander. He was a close friend and collector of McLean's work for many decades during his lifetime, and after McLean died Alexander was asked by the family to manage the collection. Gallery C is indebted to Mr. Alexander for his knowledge and expertise in selecting the artwork for this Retrospective exhibition. This show consists of paintings, watercolors, drawings, and sculpture that span over sixty years.

Click here to read a piece Mr. Alexander wrote about his personal experiences with Mr. McLean

Click here to read a biography of James Augustus McLean written by Dr. Everette James

Ballet Dancers ink, 1977 12 x 9 inches		Dancer in Dress ink, 1980 15 x 10 inches SOLD		Ballet Dancers plaster, 1950-1960 19 x 12 x 1 inches
Day Break watercolor, 1983 16 x 20 inches		Deco Female graphite, 1988 13 x 10 inches SOLD		Female Nude ink, 1970 15 x 10 inches
Female Nude ink, 1979 12 x 9 inches		Female Nude ink, 1973 12 x 16 inches SOLD		Female Nude ink, 1975 13 x 9 inches SOLD
Fishermen, Pamlico Sound oil, 1980 12 x 15 inches SOLD		John White watercolor, 1950 19 x 10 inches		Landscape with Trees watercolor, 1985 12 x 16 inches SOLD
Live Oak oil, 1970 24 x 15 inches		Male and Female ink, 1976 13 x 11 inches SOLD		Male Figure Study charcoal, 1930 26 x 20 inches
Modern Abstract watercolor, 1978 21 x 13 inches		Nude Female Among Leaves ink, 1978 10 x 8 inches		Old House oil, 1950 22 x 26 inches
Paris From My Window oil, 1965 27 x 22 inches		Elegant Young Lady oil, 1927 27 x 26 inches		Preacher Man oil, 1935 25 x 16 inches
Sir Walter and the Queen watercolor, 1959 12 x 17 inches		Snowy House oil, 1940 28 x 23 inches		South Sea Islanders oil, 1965 43 x 30 inches
Speak No Evil Italian marble, 1950s - 1970s 16 x 10 x 5 inches		Standing Deco Female ink, 1975 17 x 8 inches SOLD		Standing Deco Female ink, 1975 14 x 9 inches SOLD
Standing Female Nude ink, 1976 13 x 7 inches		Sun and Sand watercolor 16 x 20 inches		Tree oil 36 x 28 inches
Tropical Island oil, 1940 23 x 17 inches		Woman's Face limestone, 1950s - 1970s 16 x 12 x 4 inches		Young Athlete ink, 1985 21 x 12 inches
		Young Lady - Holly oil, 1975 20 x 16 inches

Contact Gallery C at 888-278-3973 or art@galleryc.net for available work.