Creative Play: Color Grids inspired by Stanley Whitney

Stanley Whitney (b. 1946) is an American painter most known for his vibrant abstract grid paintings. Drawing inspiration from sources ranging from artist Piet Mondrian to quilt-making, Stanley creates richly colored paintings that feel alive in their vibrancy. 

Born in Philadelphia in 1946, he studied at the Kansas City Art Institute and received an MFA from Yale School of Art in 1972. During this time there was an expectation that Black artists would create representational work which reflected African American life. Whitney had other ambitions, and boldly stayed true to his exploration of abstraction through painting.

Whitney’s signature grid paintings are a marvel to behold. The colors seem to sing off of the canvas and dance to their own rhythm. Inspired by the lyrical nature of his paintings, I created a few abstract watercolor and oil pastel works. Here is one - more to come!