WALDO PARK MIDGLEY

From Utah, he became an accomplished etcher, watercolorist and illustrator, and his paintings were landscapes of New York and the Northeast and harbor scenes. As an etcher he did animals and landscapes.

He went to New York in 1907 and became a student of Robert Henri whom he credited as the most important artist to influence his life. He became closely associated with the Henri circle including John Sloan, George Bellows and Walt Kuhn.

From 1908, he worked as a sign painter, muralist, and then illustrator designer for companies including the Mannheimer Company and Conde Nast Publications. He was a member of the Salmagundi Club and lived ninety-eight years.

From website: http://www.askart.com/AskART/artists/biography.aspx?artist=65931

Midgley, Waldo Park (1888-1986). This talented painter, illustrator, printmaker, and teacher was born, raised, and died (98 years later) in Salt Lake City. But he spent most of his long and full life on the East Coast. Possessed of a wonderful natural gift as a painter, Midgley studied early with Mahonri Young (q.v.) in Utah from 1905 to 1907; at the New York School of Art in 1908, along with friend and fellow artist Hal Burrows (q.v.); and then with Robert Henri, John Sloan, George Bellows, and Walt Kuhn until 1912. He had further training in New York under the famed Robert Henri. Becoming a successful professional artist there, he worked for many years with some of this country's most prestigious agencies and publications. He was a figure, animal, and landscape painter and etcher, and was honored by the University of Utah, Utah State University, and the Springville Museum of Art in 1983-84 with a superb retrospective exhibition and catalog. After his departure from Utah, Midgley was a lifelong resident of New York until he returned to this area late in his career. (b. December 20)

Olpin, Robert S., William C. Seifrit, and Vern G. Swanson. ARTISTS OF UTAH. Salt Lake City: Gibbs Smith Publisher, 1999: 175.