James Powell Hendricks

James Powell Hendricks, formerly of Little Rock, Arkansas, passed away Wednesday, July 26th. James was born August 7, 1938, in Little Rock, to Christia (Powell) and Leland Hendricks. He graduated from Little Rock Central High School (1956) and continued his education with a B.A. from the University of Arkansas in Fayetteville (1963) and an M.F.A. from the University of Iowa (1964). James retired Professor Emeritus, having taught fine art at University of Massachusetts Amherst for 39 years (from 1965 to 2004). Prior, he taught art at Mount Holyoke College and the University of Iowa. Aside from his career as a professor, James was a prolific painter and sculptor who exhibited his work internationally (including England, Macedonia, South Korea, Columbia, and Japan), in New York City, and throughout the United States. He is currently represented at Greg Thompson Fine Art in North Little Rock. James gained early recognition when a collection of his Photo-realist Moon paintings was included in a group exhibition at the National Air and Space Museum at the Smithsonian in 1969 and the National Gallery in 1970. Time Magazine photographed one of his paintings for the cover of the August 9, 1971, issue. Shortly thereafter, James left Photo-realism for a more personally expressive style in Abstract Expressionism and Color Field Painting. He continued in that vein until the last day in his studio. He is perhaps best known for his very large and colorful, acrylic on canvas, abstract paintings. His vitae includes an extensive list of museums, art centers, galleries, colleges and universities, commissions and projects, public and private collections, and a comprehensive bibliography. James leaves his wife of 18 years, Leslie Cernak; his daughters, Elizabeth and Valerie; his step-daughter, Lochlyn Cernak-Mitchell; and his cherished granddaughter, Rebecca. He was predeceased by his sister, Mary Lee Conatser of Little Rock. A Celebration of Life will be held at James's studio and residence at noon on October 14th. Friends are welcome to attend. For directions/further information, please email: hendricksmemorial@yahoo.com. Mitchell Funeral Home in Easthampton, Massachusetts, is handling the arrangements. Visit their website at www.mitchellcofuneralhome.com.