Dorothy McCray Pastel Landscape — Desert Bloom with Yucca

Elegant Southwestern landscape by Dorothy Westaby McCray (1915–2008), noted American artist and educator whose career spanned more than three decades at Western New Mexico University. Executed in soft pastel on toned paper, the work captures the delicate bloom of desert yucca beneath sweeping skies, rendered with McCray’s hallmark sensitivity to light and rhythm of form. Signed “McCray” at lower right.

Best known for her work in lithography and drawing, McCray received the New Mexico Governor’s Award for Excellence in the Arts (1992), and her works are held in major collections including the National Gallery of Art and the Worcester Art Museum. Presented in a bronze-tone frame with a wide cream mat—an evocative and finely composed example of McCray’s exploration of the Southwestern landscape.

Condition

In very good condition overall, with vibrant color and clean surface. The artwork has shifted slightly within the matting; rematting is recommended for optimal alignment and premium presentation. Frame and glazing are in good condition with only minimal wear. Ready to hang.

Dimensions

Visible: 16 1/4 x 21 1/4 inches
Overall (framed): 24 1/4 x 30 1/4 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.