Renowned landscape painter Richard Mayhew passed away at the age of 100 in his home in Soquel, California. His unique artistic style was deeply influenced by his diverse heritage, including Black, Lumbee, Cherokee, Montaukett, and Shinnecock ancestry. Mayhew’s abstract landscapes, which he referred to as “mindscapes” or “moodscapes,” combined vibrant colors with raw emotion and a spiritual connection to the natural world.
Born in 1924 in Amityville, Long Island, Mayhew was raised by his grandmother, Sarah Steele Mayhew, who instilled in him a strong connection to his Shinnecock roots. At a young age, he developed a passion for jazz music, plein-air painting, and art history, which would later influence his artistic practice.
Moving to New York City in 1947 during the rise of Abstract Expressionism, Mayhew studied at various art institutions and honed his signature style of softly diffused yet intensely saturated landscape paintings. His work resonated with viewers as colors interacted harmoniously on the canvas.
Throughout his career, Mayhew continued to draw inspiration from his heritage, incorporating elements of Afro-American and Native American culture into his art. His first solo exhibition in 1955 at the Brooklyn Museum was followed by critical acclaim, leading to a John Hay Whitney fellowship and a year of study in Florence.
Returning to New York in 1962, Mayhew joined Spiral, a collective of African-American artists advocating for social change through art. In addition to his painting practice, he taught at various institutions, including the Art Students League and Pennsylvania State College.
Mayhew’s work has been celebrated in numerous exhibitions and is included in prestigious collections such as the Brooklyn Museum and the Whitney Museum of American Art. His posthumous show, focusing on his watercolors, is scheduled to open at Venus Over Manhattan in November.
Mayhew’s intuitive approach to painting allowed him to create “mindscapes” that reflected his emotions, desires, fears, and loves. His legacy lives on through his family and the profound impact he made on the art world.
