Comments on: Grand Symphonic Paintings: James Adley, 1931 to 2015

By: dennis summers

dennis summers — Tue, 30 Jun 2015 02:19:00 +0000

I was one of Jim’s students in the late 70s and what struck me most about Jim was his wide range of knowledge, which led to many long conversations that only tangentially were about painting. As you mentioned Jim made it a point, in the pre-internet days to stay in touch with former students via cards and letters. Thus I was able to continue to look at his unrolled paintings for decades after I graduated. There was a time when I might have said that Jim had no influence on the style of my own artwork, but in the last decade as I’ve created two different series of abstract color videos inspired by musical composers, it’s clear that his influence laid dormant for many years. Thanx for the article.

By: Pat Patterson

Pat Patterson — Wed, 20 May 2015 01:35:00 +0000

What an incredible person. He taught me to see abstraction as a kind of visual music. I was an M.F.A. student at MSU from 1989-1991 and I was suddenly thinking about him today and decided to look him up. I am sad to find that I did not get a chance to say goodbye. Goodbye, Jim.

By: Margaret Manzi

Margaret Manzi — Wed, 13 May 2015 18:46:00 +0000

I had him as a painting instructor at MSU, and enjoyed his classes very much.

By: Peter Rippon

Peter Rippon — Tue, 12 May 2015 13:43:00 +0000

Well considered and well written. Jim would have been touched by your observations and sentiments. His work really demands a closer and more all encompassing showing. It should be done …. Peter Rippon

By: John Dempsey

John Dempsey — Fri, 08 May 2015 06:25:00 +0000

Thank you for this thoughtful piece and touching on the scale and impact of Jim and his work.