Corinne Hartley
(1924 - 2020)
Corinne Hartley (1924 - 2020), 96 years of age, passed away on August
28, 2020 surrounded by family and friends in her Seal Beach home.
Corinne was born in Los Angeles, California on July 24, 1924. She
graduated Polytechnic High School in Long Beach, California in 1942. She
was accepted into the prestigious Chouinard Art Institute and after two
years of attendance, she began her fashion illustration career with May
Company (1946) and then ultimately moved into her 30 years at Bullock’s
Department Stores (1947-1977) as the lead children’s fashion illustrator
where her ads appeared daily in the LA Times. During this time, she
still found time for her fine art, and was commissioned to paint many
portraits.
When photography replaced illustration, Corinne focused on painting in
watercolor and oils and at age 71, began sculpting to bring her children
to life in three dimensions. Her artwork could be found in many
galleries in the United States. She started teaching in her early 20s
and continued until she was 95. She also conducted workshops throughout
the states and abroad.
Jones and Terwilliger Galleries started representing her sculpture and
paintings in 1997 and quickly became her main gallery. Every year they
hosted One Woman Shows for Corinne which were hugely successful. For
over 15 years, Corinne Hartley was one of their top selling artists.
Her impressionistic paintings of children lost in their own little
worlds, playing, laughing or in the loving company of theirs mothers
have always touched the hearts of everyone who sees them. Her limited
edition bronze sculptures have a universal appeal, capturing the sweet
innocence of childhood. In each piece, she leaves her touch for
eternity.
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