Oil painting on board by Gregory D. Ridley, Jr (Tennessee, 1925-2004), titled en verso "AKA Splash" with other inscriptions en verso including "B. 1925, talking '98 series of 50 paintings, 250.00 value," Signed and dated on front in lower right corner " '98 Ridley". 16" H x 20" W. Unframed. Biography: Greg Ridley, born in Smyrna, TN, was an African-American artist and teacher. He moved with his family to Nashville, TN in 1936. After his service in the US Navy during WWII, he earned a degree in art education from Tennessee State University, and went on to become the first person of color to receive a master's degree in fine arts from the University of Louisville. Ridley also attended Fisk University (where he later worked), and where he studied under Aaron Douglas, the Harlem renaissance painter and muralist, who remained a close friend and mentor until his death in 1979. Ridley taught at various Southern universities as well as the City University of New York. One of his last works was the creation of 80 copper panels for the Grand Reading Room of the Nashville Public Library, Nashville, Tennessee. Condition: Overall very good condition.