Morton Grossman

Morton Grossman (1926-1998) was born in Brooklyn, New York where he received his early education,graduating from the Art Students League of New York City in 1947 before obtaining his bachelor’s degree at Queens College of New York City. He later earned a master’s degree in art history from American University, Washington D.C.

Grossman worked mainly in watercolor, capturing  landscapes through a unique, abstract expressionist style and perspective. He describes, “Working with watercolor for so long has given me a respect for the element of surprise, which I do not call chance. I too have used my fingers individually (to apply and smear paint)… I am reminded of Tuner’s use of anything to be put to use: his fingers, brush handles, sticks, spoons – and even mustard!”

After completing his degrees, he has since taught at several higher-level institutions, including Kent State University as an assistant, associate, and full professor of art, the University of Maryland as an assistant professor of art, Tyler School of Art (Temple University) as resident faculty, Adelphi University as visiting faculty, Gardiners School as a supervisor of art, State University College at Buffalo as an assistant professor of art, Haystack Mountain School as the summer resident faculty, the Cleveland Museum of Art as an instructor, and the Cleveland Institute of Art as an instructor for art.

Grossman has received awards for a number of his works including the Dana Medal from the Pennsylvania Academy of the Fine Arts, the Gold Medal of Honor from the American Watercolor Society Arches Award, and the First Prize at the American Drawing Biennial at the Norfolk Museum of Art.

He has been involved in numerous exhibitions, for instance the Butler Institute of American Art, the Kansas City Art Institute, and the Albright-Knox Art Gallery in Buffalo, New York. Grossman has works within the permanent collections of American University in Washington D.C., Birmingham Museum of Art in Birmingham, Alabama, and the Cleveland Museum of Art.