Obituary of Paul E. Lancaster August 31, 1930 – June 18, 2019

Paul Lancaster was born in Lobelville,Tennessee in 1930 and grew up in Nashville. Without any art education, Lancaster began to paint about 1959 and gained increasing recognition. His works are in significant private collections and numerous permanent collections such as the Smithsonian, American Visionary Art Museum, Reece, Parthenon, Parrish and Hickory Art Museums and University of Virginia collection. Lancaster's early works had primitive qualities and were full of fantasy. His techniques grew exceptionally so that many cannot believe he is self taught. He worked with most all media available to the painter and even taught himself how to create etchings. His graphics work proved significant for it is in his etchings that his great facility for the drawn line and subtle color could be so fully accomplished.

Paul was a simple man, quiet and modest. He was part Cherokee Indian which contributed to his personality and is clearly reflected in his work. One could easily see his works as "visions" of a beautiful life deeply rich in the wonders of nature. He belonged to the outdoors and his works always belonged to nature and the spiritual. The subjects of his work are the forest, woods and streams. Figures are in his works but they may, in many works, seem unimportant, helpful for proportion but not always essential to the presentation. When he did include figures they are usually female, always beautiful, often exotic. Working strictly from imagination, he often animated his trees and rocks suggesting animal or human forms. His visions were peaceful and quiet, almost fairy tale pretty and idealistic. Lancaster was a true self-taught artist in every respect--his knowledge and technique are natural gifts not academic. His skills have been honed over fifty plus years of work. While his style ranged from the simple to extraordinarily complex, it is always innocent and honest. In this sense, he was great rather than good. “Paul Lancaster: Immersed in Nature” was published in 2009 and described his life and his art. Lancaster died on June 18, 2019

Source:
https://www.dignitymemorial.com/obituaries/nashville-tn/paul-lancaster-8754110

Paul Lancaster is a native Tennessee primitive artist who reflects his Cherokee heritage and love of nature in his oil paintings, original etchings, carvings, and other mediums. His art works are included in the Smithsonian, Parrish Museum and Nicholas Roerich Museum.

One of Lancaster's hand-painted Easter Eggs was exhibited at the White House in 1985. Lancaster was recently featured in the Winter 2002 issue of "Raw Vision", a publication dedicated to Outsider Art and Contemporary Folk Art.

He won the best of show award at the 33rd Annual Tennessee All-State Art Exhibition. Paul's works were included in the "Treasures of the Soul" show at the American Visionary Art Museum; Baltimore, MD (Oct 2000-Sep 2001). In January 2001, his paintings were shown at the annual Outsider Art Fair in New York City.

Paul E. Lancaster was born in 1930 in Lobelville, Tennessee. He was a self-taught artist that began painting in the late 1950s in Colorado, while training as an Army medic. His grandfather and great grandfather were Cherokee Indian, and Lancaster's love of nature and spirituality influence many of his canvases. The work of Paul E. Lancaster has been included in numerous exhibitions including The Art of Tennessee at the Frist Center for the Visual Arts and a 2013 one man show at the Parthenon in Nashville, which brought together many of his works created over the last 50 years.

Self-taught artist Paul Lancaster began painting in the late 1950s in Colorado, while training as an Army medic. His grandfather and great grandfather were Cherokee Indian, and Lancaster's love of nature and spirituality influence many of his canvases.

His work has been included in numerous exhibitions including The Art of Tennessee at the Frist Center for the Visual Arts and a 2013 one man show at the Parthenon in Nashville, which brought together many of his works created over the last 50 years.