The artist, Don Howard

Don Howard, An Appreciation

by George Wingate

Don Howard is a true artist. You will find him with his home and family and surroundings in beautiful Marblehead and think he is simply another comfortable, maybe a little eccentric, bon vivant. I suspect Marblehead regards him thus.

 His work is something else. The imagery is sophisticated and even rather brash. It is not sweetness and light even though he makes sure in each of his exhibited “Christmas Cards” to portray not only the Baby Jesus and Mary but also a feather.

The feather may tickle your fancy. It is a moment of dimensional lift. Celebrate it.

 Celebrate Don Howard and his work. The man retired early from his business career (Harvard, MBA) to a second life as artist. He took not the occasional art course. No Sunday Painter, he. He did the full art program at the Museum School and competed with the young turks and won one of the coveted fifth year fellowships which gave him not only more schooling but also an exhibition at the Museum of Fine Arts. (The current such winners are currently on view at the MFA).

 If you know your modern art history you will recognize influences of Red Grooms and also of Dubuffet and art brut, and also Frank Stella. Back in Don Howard’s studio are ‘early’ figure studies and portraits. He has his chops; he has a traditional grounding. He has searching eyes and an engaging mind.

 I met Don Howard back in about 1990 at St. Andrews Church in Marblehead. He was hospitable and fun. He was ambitious. He was a lover of Christ, the man of Love. Don Howard and I kept up. I am glad to share what I celebrate of that man and his art and his message. Look for his love stories amongst all the seeming art debris and cacophony. It is there.

Why is he not more of an art name? I would conjecture that he didn’t have to push his art into the major and usual commercial art venues. Those venues and the critical establishment didn’t get to see him. Don Howard work can stand up to establishment scrutiny.* I hope this small exhibition will in some small way advance things for Don Howard and for his art. I hope you enjoy what you see.

George Wingate, curator
June 2010

*English visitor, the poet and critic Arthur Boyars, observed last week at this exhibition, “He is an original” and “He has plenty of go. Nobody would deny that.” High praise.

The curator, George Wingate

Meet the artist after 10:00 a.m. service on Sunday, June 27.