Trees

Vibrant contrasting colors shimmer across this exuberant and experimental color study. Harold Neal was 13 years old when he made this painting in the free art classes at the LeMoyne Federal Art Center in Memphis, Tennessee. Between 1936 and 1943, the Work Projects Administration opened 107 community arts centers across the country in order to provide the general public with direct access to the arts. The artist later moved to Detroit and built a successful career as a professional artist and teacher. Reflecting late in life, he drew connections between his lifelong artistic practice and his experiences at the LeMoyne Art Center: “When I drew as a small child, I received compliments which were reinforced by adults. You keep doing what gets you compliments from adults.”