Blendon Campbell (1872-1969)

Portrait and landscape painter, illustrator. Born in St. Louis, MO on July 28, 1872. After studying in Paris with Constant, Laurens and Whistler, Campbell moved to San Francisco in 1893. His first job as an artist was with the Chronicle. In 1902 he founded the California Society of Artists with Piazzoni, Martinez, C.P. Neilson, W.H. Bull, and Matteo Sandona as a reaction to the conservative attitudes of the San Francisco Art Association which they felt restricted opportunities for younger artists. By 1930 he had moved to New York City and in the early 1950’s returned to Pacific Grove on the Monterey Peninsula. He died in Tampa, FL in September 1969. Works held: Art Institute of Chicago; Metropolitan Museum; Smithsonian Institute. Exhibited: Paris Salon 1899.