Charles Mills Hand Colored Lithograph Signed 1990 Masai Head African American

  

FOR YOUR CONSIDERATION A GREAT FIND, ONE OF A KIND!! This beautiful artwork by Charles Norman Mills portrays the head of a Masai man. The artist's skilled use of hand-colored lithography brings the portrait to life, capturing the essence of this African culture. The artwork is professionally matted and framed from period, adding an elegant touch to the piece.. This artwork is an excellent addition to any art collection, showcasing the beauty of African cultures and traditions.

THE PIECE IS IN EXCELLENT USED CONDITION , PLEASE TAKE PICTURES AS PART OF DESCRIPTION. MEASURE FRAME 21 3/4" X 16 3/4" OPEN IMAGE 13 1/2" X 10 1/2".

Painter, printmaker, illustrator, and muralist Charles Mills was born in Harlem, New York City. He studied at the Career School of Commercial Art (now Art Career School) and the Brooklyn Museum, New York City. Mills served in the United States Army. After completing his military service, he worked as a medical illustrator at the Brooklyn Veterans Administration Medical Center. He spent two decades designing and illustrating medical books.

Mills' mural at the entrance to Sistrunk Boulevard, commissioned by the City of Fort Lauderdale, is considered his greatest work. The mural tells the story of the African American experience from slavery to modern times. The Tru-can Art Gallery in downtown Brooklyn was the location of several extremely profitable exhibitions of his work.

In 1969, one of his pieces won an "Honorable Mention" award at the Atlanta University exhibit of Black Artists. He also exhibited work at Croton Council on the Arts in Croton-on-the Hudson, New York, and had a one-man show of his art at Brooklyn College in Brooklyn, New York. He taught Pen & Ink Techniques and Pastel Painting at the Brooklyn College Institute of Retired Professionals and Executive (IRPE) from 1982 to 1985. He also held the office of President of the Artist League of Brooklyn for one year.

He completed an 8' x 9' mural for the David Chavis Senior Citizens Houses in April of 1984. This c depicts great Black Americans who have contributed to their race and country. Relocating to South Florida in 1985, he was called to an adjunct professorship position at the New World School of the Arts in Miami by Ed Love, then Dean of the Art Department.

He then went on to teach at the Broward Art Guild and the Coral Springs Museum of Art. Mills has widely exhibited in and out of Florida in one man and group exhibits, starting with his first successful one-man show at Gallery Antigua in 1986.

He continued to work and teach prolifically into his eighties. He received the prestigioius African American Achiever's Award in the category of Arts and Culture in April 2009.

Before his death, he completed his autobiography, entitled Romancing Harlem, a Life in Love.