RICHARD W DOLAN: Deloss McGraw

Deloss McGraw Pulitzer is an artist and poet from Oklahoma. His works are a mixture of jolly circus motifs and almost nightmarish childhood imagery. He is known for his illustrations for children's books and he has shown in over 80 galleries across the US. In 1976, McGraw had his first collaboration with another poet when he created mixed-media paintings that responded to the stories of Pulitzer Prize-winner W.D. Snodgrass. They became mail buddies and McGraw continues these strange relationships to this day.
I am less interested this sort of poetry but am more drawn to the luminescence that pushes from within his paintings.
McGraw's unique sense of light can be attributed to his use of watercolor. He works often in mixed media and collage as well.
When admiring the circus themes and child realms, I cannot help but think of the compositions of John Grillo or Marc Chagall.
The discovery of another artist goes again to my girlfriend Meaghan. THANKS MEAGHAN!

Party Tricks
Watercolor, 22 x 29.9 in.

My Name is Stephen Dedalus, 2004
Gouache on Paper, 19.5 x 26 Inches

The spacial occupation in McgGraw's vertical pieces is certainly addressed well. Another artist who comes to mind when painting exaggerated verticals is R.B. Kitaj. The animal-human hybrids identified with their props and youthful celebration remind me of Joan Brown's late paintings.