James Asher(1944-2019) "Night Rider" shops Original stone Lithograph Limited edition signed 1980

"Night Rider"

by James Asher (1944-2019)

Limited Edition Stone Lithograph on Buff Arches Fine Art Paper

Southwest Graphics Number 80-126

Hand signed & numbered by the artist in pencil

Paper Size: 18 1/2" X 15"

Edition Size: 75

Edition Number: 53/75

1980

Excellent condition

Certificate of Authenticity is included
See photo of James Asher at Southwest Graphics, Scottsdale, AZ in 1978

What is an original stone lithograph?

When an artist creates a work of art on a stone plate, they make what is known as an original stone "lithograph." Because this is a highly specialized process, an original stone lithograph is NOT a reproduction but rather a one-of-a-kind unique piece of artwork. Lithography, or "stone art," was first used around 1789 and is based on the simple physical principle that oil and water do not mix. To create a lithograph, artists often draw an image in reverse on limestone with crayons. The stone is then dampened with water, which is repelled by the greasy medium wherever the artist has drawn their art on the stone. Afterwards, the stone is shops pressed with a massive roller loaded with oily ink which adheres to the greasy areas of the design, but is repelled by the wet areas of bare stone. Following this, the paper is pressed to the stone and the ink is transferred onto the paper. In a color lithograph, a different stone is used for each color where the stone must be re-inked every time the image is pressed onto the paper. Most modern lithographs are signed and numbered to establish an edition of the print.

An offset lithograph, also known as a limited edition print, is a reproduction by a mechanical process where the artist has in no way contributed to the making of an original print: that is, they have not designed the plate. Instead, printings, drawings, and watercolors are photo-mechanically reproduced. Very often an artist signs a number of these "reproductions," but they are not true original lithographs.

James Asher

Artist, James Asher, paints in a traditional realistic style. He is a master artist on the PBS Television series, “Passport & Palette” and his watercolor paintings are exhibited in galleries and museums nationally and internationally.

Asher attended Central Missouri University on an art scholarship and graduated with a Bachelor of Science Degree. He earned a Bachelor of Fine Arts Degree from the Art Center College of Design in Los Angeles, California.

While studying at the Art Center, he pursued his interest in traditional painting techniques. For a short while he enjoyed a successful career in advertising, but soon became restless and returned to his passion for painting.

Asher moved to Arizona and immersed himself with the lore of the Pueblo Indian culture. He traveled often to Mexico and painted the colorful markets there.

In 1982, after a severe bout with an allergy to turpentine, he reacquainted himself with water-based mediums. As his interest in watercolor evolved, his interest in subject matter broadened. His first London show inspired a large body of European subjects. From his studio in Santa Fe, New Mexico, he travels and paints on location around the world. Painting destinations have included France, Spain, Italy, The Netherlands, England, Scotland, Ireland, Chile, Guatemala, Greece, Switzerland, the Greek Islands, Turkey, Malta, Kashmir, Mexico and the western United States. He is well known for his paintings of Venice and Paris.

His many exhibitions include The Gilcrease Museum, where he was honored as a featured artist in 2006, the National Museum of Taiwan, The Albuquerque Museum of Fine Art, The Montgomery Museum of Fine Art, The Fine Arts Museum of Santa Fe, Artists of America at the Denver Historical Society and the Royal Watercolor Society of London.

Asher has been profiled in American Artist Magazine, Southwest Art, Western Art Digest, and many other prestigious art publications. He has authored articles for The Artists' Magazine and Watercolor Magic.

Shipping Information

SHIPPED in tube within the continental US.

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