Comments on: Intimist Glow, Expansive Gestures: Charles Cajori (1921-2013)

By: Robert J Miskines

Robert J Miskines — Sat, 05 Aug 2017 01:51:00 +0000

What a wonderful soul, a very enlightening article about what sound like a great man. I stumbled across while researching the excellent but not as well known female abstract artists such as Lee Krasner and Mercedes Matter.

By: Diane kominick ouzoonian

Diane kominick ouzoonian — Sun, 19 Jan 2014 00:45:42 +0000

Great article john. I remember studying with mr cajori at the New York studio school 1972-1973. He was a very nice man.

By: Roger Anthony

Roger Anthony — Fri, 03 Jan 2014 14:53:37 +0000

I am forever grateful that Cajori was the instructor for my first ever life drawing class when I entered Cooper Union in 1957. I came from a very un-specialized Brooklyn public High School and he opened all the doors for me. He taught me how to recognize and avoid assumption, how to accept the unanticipated rewards of learning to look without preconception and how to engage in the joyful struggle of making marks. I felt intimidated by being in a class with students from more specialized high schools but learned from him that openness was more valuable. I am also thankful that in that pre-degree time at Cooper the class, though only once a week, was for a full day (from 9:30 to 4:30). His wisdom and enthusiasm and patience gave me an amazing introduction and welcome to the world of making art. And his heart was in the right place too.

By: Neil Kalmanson

Neil Kalmanson — Mon, 30 Dec 2013 14:03:31 +0000

Insightful article, Mr. Goodrich…certainly rings true! I was lucky enough to study with Charles Cajori at Pratt in the early ’60s, I believe he just taught there for one year. I was a loyal student of Mercedes Matter, who was at Pratt at that time, just before she left and opened the Studio School. I was also fortunate to study with Nicolas Carone at Skowhegan one summer around the same period. Talk about a solid foundation in sensing the dynamics of the structure of space! Their passion and “truth” has lasted me a lifetime, and I am eternally grateful!

By: Hope London (formerly Hope DeFelice)

Hope London (formerly Hope DeFelice) — Fri, 27 Dec 2013 11:16:45 +0000

I was fortunate to have Charles Cajori as one of my first painting teachers at Queens College back in 1971 or so. Some of his words remain etched in my head and I still have a figure study he commented on in such a positive way that it’s kept me going over all these years, even the years of child rearing and full time work when painting seriously was not possible. But now it is, and his words of encouragement and purpose are still in my heart, and his work is online to continue to inspire me even though I now live so far away in rural Scotland. Thank you Mr Cajori, and thanks John Goodrich for this article that so accurately and beautifully sums up the character of the great teacher I remember.

By: Janet Gardner

Janet Gardner — Thu, 26 Dec 2013 14:12:49 +0000

REMEMBERING CHARLES CAJORI (1921-2013)

As a student of Charles Cajori’s at Cooper Union in the 1960s, I remember his laugh, his wonderful laugh, and his generosity. He taught me about color and space and Charlie Parker. He lit up the studio when he walked in and you felt his love of painting as a gesture. The physical act mattered.

It was an honor to have been his student. He once told me he works from life because life is more incredible and surprising than anything you could possibly imagine. I have found that to be true and it guides me and provides direction.

Janet Gardner
The Gardner Documentary Group

By: Mark Macomber

Mark Macomber — Wed, 25 Dec 2013 17:11:20 +0000

Mr. Goodrich has done a superb job in capturing the artist, teacher and singular contributor to the New York art community. I know him from a different perspective – the New York Times devotee who often shared breakfast with me, a daily Wall Street Journal reader with strongly divergent views about politics and life. We had spirited discussions – always respectful and valuable to me. I learned a great deal from this passionate, brilliant, humorous and gentle man. I’d guess I saw it his way far more often than he mine. I was privileged to know this wonderful “guy from the local diner”.
I will miss you my friend.