Artwork copyright Mel McCuddin. Photo courtesy of Washington State Arts Commission, 2017.

Artwork copyright Mel McCuddin. Photo courtesy of Washington State Arts Commission, 2017.

Fox on the Run, 1990

Mel McCuddin
(American, born 1933, died 2022)

Location: Granite Falls School District, Granite Falls

ABOUT THE ARTWORK

Fox on the Run is part of artist Mel McCuddin's body of work in which the composition of a solitary figure develops spontaneously. Featuring warm, vibrant colors and a bold composition, the artist notes that this piece references freedom, and states that "the horizon and bridge form in the background, plus the exaggerated perspective of the fox seem to make this painting quite intimate, as if we are sharing our freedom with the animal."

This artwork was acquired for the State Art Collection in partnership with Granite Falls School District.

ABOUT THE ARTIST

Spokane, Eastern Washington-based artist Mel McCuddin (1933-2022) created expressive, figurative paintings. In his own words: “I begin a painting with no idea in mind, and at a certain point in the process of putting paint on the canvas, an idea will suggest itself. Many of these ideas change and many are rejected until one seems strong enough to accept. My paintings are essentially a record of the evolution of an idea... What I’ve been after for a long time is something that you feel more than see, paintings with a strong presence.”

McCuddin was born and raised on a dairy farm on Spokane’s North Side. He loved art as a child and made art all through high school. He worked as a truck driver for dairies, took art classes when he could, and painted at night until retirement allowed him to create art full time.