Fleischer Museum
American Collection of Impressionism
The California School

Essentially self-taught, Edgar Payne spent several years as a house painter, sign painter, scenic artist and mural decorator before turning to full-time easel painting. In 1911, Payne visited California, staying in Laguna Beach and working his way up the coast to San Francisco, painting along the way. In San Francisco, he met the young artist Elsie Palmer whom he married the following year. In 1917, the two moved to Laguna Beach where Edgar Payne initiated and became the founding president of the Laguna Beach Art Association. Brittany Sky, 34"x34" O/C Payne painted throughout California, becoming well-known for his forceful paintings of the High Sierras and the rocky surf at Laguna. In 1922, he, Elsie, and their daughter Evelyn went on a two-year trip to Europe, where they painted views of the Alps as well as the fishing fleet in Brittany and Venice. In 1923, he won an Honorable Mention for his view of Mont Blanc at the Paris Salon. Upon his return to America, Payne settled in Los Angeles, though he often visited Laguna and remained active in the Laguna Beach Art Association. Payne is perhaps the best known of the California Impressionists. His distinctive style, with his large, painterly brushstrokes, coupled to his penchant for dramatic subject matter, makes his work uniquely recognizable. His book on structure and composition can be found in most artists' libraries and his many awards include the Cabin Prize in 1921 and the Ranger Prize in 1929. Canyon De Chelly, 28"x34" O/C