Douglass Ewell Parshall, N.A. (1899-1990)
California School


BREAKERS, MOONSTONE BEACH, CAMBRIA, 1971


7¼ x 9¼ inches / 13½ x 15½ framed
Oil on board

Written in the artist’s hand on verso: “Property / of / Parshall /
“BREAKERS.”/ oil by / Douglass Parshall / N.A./ 
Blue tone over wt. & / Pumice  Jan ’68 / 1971 / 8 x 10”

Note:  The painting is accompanied by a letter from the artist dated Tuesday, 
March 28, 1972, in which he describes the circumstances under which this and several other pictures were painted along Moonstone Beach.

Provenance:		Phil Greene Collection 
			        Private Collection, Cambria, California

	BREAKERS represents Douglass Parshall’s favorite subject, the California beaches.  It was painted in Cambria in San Luis Obispo County.   In November 
of 1971, the artist spent four or five days painting along the coast near Leffingwell Landing and the stretch of coast adjacent to it, Moonstone Beach.  A number of sketches, including BREAKERS, were all made at the same time, and all painted 
plein air.

Parshall was born in New York and came west in 1917 with his family to Santa Barbara.  His earliest instruction was from his artist father, who encouraged him and sent him to New York’s Art Students League before moving to California.

	Parshall painted with oil using unusual textures and sensitive use of color.  He became a full member of the National Academy in 1969, which was a great honor for a California artist.  His paintings can be seen today in museum collections across the country, including the deYoung museum in San Francisco, the Detroit Museum, the Santa Barbara Museum of Art, as well as museums in San Diego and Oakland.