Description:

August Madrigal
California, (1926-2016)
geometric abstract, 1968
watercolor on Arches paper
Signed and dated lower right and verso.

August Madrigal- Reedley California
I have certainly met a lot of interesting people in my lifetime. Seldom is one graced with the opportunity to meet a man of such extraordinary talent as August Madrigal. Although August is the epitome of gentility, you can almost feel the palpable passion for his art coursing through every fiber of his being. Here is a man who is a world-renowned painter, skilled in both oil and watercolor. He has enjoyed the thrill of worldwide exhibitions and has sold every piece of art he has ever offered for sale. His abstract watercolors are vivid, visually potent and thought provoking. In stark contrast, his landscapes have a kind of ethereal, almost dreamlike quality to them. For me, sitting in the presence of an artist of August Madrigal's magnitude was a little bit like visiting royalty.
August is now over 90 years old and is still driving down to the local catholic church and the City of Reedley to pick up groceries and pay bills. He was born and raised right here in the talent rich City of Reedley, California. He was the third of five sons, Joaquin Madrigal Jr., Ralph Madrigal, Tony Madrigal and Victor Madrigal all children of Michoacan State Natives Joaquin and Adela Madrigal of Mexico.
In 1959 August is offered a position in the newly formed arts department at the University of Bridgeport in Connecticut. Many of his new colleagues are from Yale and three of them are fortunate to have studied with the great Bauhaus master, Josef Albers.
Shortly thereafter August's life takes a most interesting turn when he has the astronomical good fortune to meet the infamous Josef Albers. Mr. Albers is at the University of Bridgeport delivering a series of lectures. As luck would have it, August is asked to give Mr. Albers a ride home one evening. "He had a wonderful German accent." August says. "As I was driving him home he asked me my name. When I told him he said, "Madrigal? What kind of a name is that?" "It is a Spanish name Mr. Albers." I replied. "Oh?" he said. "And do you read and write Spanish?" "Yes, I do Mr. Albers." "And do you speak Spanish?" "Yes, I do Mr. Albers." As it turns out, Mr. Albers had received an essay on his work from a Spanish art critic and needed someone to translate it for him. This was the beginning of a friendship that lasted until Mr. Albers death in 1976.
August explains his philosophy with regards to his landscapes. "The geometric aspect is a metaphor for the mind and the organic is a metaphor for the heart. I try to find a balance between the mind and the heart in my paintings."
As I sit on August's couch, looking through a book of his paintings depicting the gorgeous Reedley landscapes, I realize it all looks so familiar. And it should, this is where I grew up as a child. I miss this place and I am glad to stay here for a few days.
August's "Constant Friend" is none other than Mt. Campbell aka Reedley Mountain. So I sit there and as I look at the pictures, I hold up the book, turn my head and there outside is the same scene depicted in the painting. It is a surreal moment. For a second I have the feeling I have stepped right into one of his paintings. We all in fact, live in the beauty of his paintings. Reedley should be proud to have produced a world-class artist in the caliber of August Madrigal.
As Written in Reedley, California by the words by Jackie Dale

  • Dimensions: 22 1/4"H x 18 1/4"W
  • Medium: watercolor on Arches paper

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February 22, 2025 11:00 AM EST
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