Paul Reed (artist)

At the time of his death in 2015, Reed was the last living member of the Washington Color School[1]—an art group that gained national fame in the 1960s.

[1] Reed moved to San Diego for college, but soon returned to D.C. to accept a job at the Washington Times-Herald in 1937 working in the graphics department masking out half-tones in advertisements.

In 1965 Reed created his well-known series—the Disk paintings—where two corners of different color are set off by a diagonal band with a large circle at its center.

One of Reed's Coherence paintings belonging to the permanent collection of the National Gallery of Art was recently on view there.

Reed's knowledge of art history was extensive, combined with expertise on technique and an engaging wit, he was an inspiring teacher.

In 1972 Reed lost his large studio behind the Jefferson Hotel, moving him towards more intimately scaled works he could execute at home.

Reed's large scale Zig-Field, 1967 was included in Washington Art Matters: 1940-1980 at the Katzen Center at American University in 2013.

He also was historical consultant for the movie project, The Washington Color School film, called Unprimed Canvas which is being done by artist Barbara Januszkiewicz[2] who Reed mentored.