The source and substance for a contemporary art of American origin

This paper is in itself an accompaniment, or a verbal explanation of the experience analagous to and partially responsible for igniting the plastic experience which the paintings represent. It is a summary of occasions and conclusions which I experienced during the past two years in New York City. These two years among the museums, galleries and painters of New York represent the breakdown of the handicaps which I experienced, due to my previous isolation from a great portion of the tradition of painting. Without a knowledge of this tradition, no American can hope to paint seriously except as a primitive. This two year experience is inseparable from a study of my work to this point. These observations, comments and attitudes represent my confidence, the confirmation of my faith, and the transition from the status of student to painter. The object of this paper is to explain my conclusions, and to create a coherent background for the paintings which it accompanies. The term of "ex-patriot" has been used in this paper to classify those first American abstract painters who spent their formative years in Europe