Dorothy McCray Ridge Road Up + Down — Watercolor, 2001

Description

Expressive abstract watercolor by Dorothy Westaby McCray (1915–2008), titled Ridge Road Up + Down and dated 2001. This late work by the distinguished New Mexico artist reveals her fluid command of color and form—vertical ribbons of blue, lilac, and soft gray intertwine in lyrical motion, accented by confident black linework. The composition exemplifies McCray’s mature style, blending organic abstraction with a meditative sense of balance. Signed “McCray D., 2001” lower right.

Painted on fine Lana 57-312 paper, the piece retains McCray’s Atelier 108 gallery label from her Silver City studio. Presented under glass in a pale wood frame with linen border mat, this watercolor captures the contemplative energy that defined McCray’s later years.

Condition

Good overall. Colors remain vivid and the surface clean. The backing paper is loose, and minor adjustments to remounting or re-sealing are recommended for long-term preservation. Frame and mat show light wear consistent with age.

Dimensions

Visible: 14 x 10 inches
Overall (framed): 24.5 x 20.5 inches

Dorothy Westaby McCray (1915–2008)

American Artist, Educator, and Printmaker

Dorothy Westaby McCray was an American artist and educator celebrated for her expressive approach to color, texture, and form. Born in Madison, South Dakota, in 1915, McCray earned both her Bachelor’s and Master’s degrees in art from the State University of Iowa, where she studied under Grant Wood and other leading figures of American regionalism. In 1948, she joined the faculty of Western New Mexico University in Silver City, where she taught painting and printmaking for more than three decades. During her tenure, she played a central role in developing the university’s art program and mentoring generations of Southwestern artists.

McCray’s work spans painting, pastel, and fine printmaking, with a particular focus on lithography and intaglio. Her art reveals a deep engagement with natural forms and the spiritual essence of landscape, often exploring the Southwest’s vivid light and expansive spaces. She studied lithography at the California College of Arts and Crafts under Leon Goldin and participated in international print biennials, including the Fourth and Fifth International Biennials of Contemporary Color Lithography.

Over her career, McCray held more than thirty solo exhibitions and earned numerous honors, including the New Mexico Governor’s Award for Excellence in the Arts (1992). Her works are represented in major collections, such as the National Gallery of Art (Washington, D.C.) and the Worcester Art Museum (Massachusetts). Following her retirement, Western New Mexico University named its art building in her honor — a lasting tribute to her influence as both artist and educator.

McCray’s art reflects her conviction that “all of life is a creative act.” Whether through the delicate luminosity of her pastels or the textured rhythm of her prints, her works evoke a sense of discovery and reverence for the living world.