Greg Ridley (American/Tennessee, 1925 – 2004) watercolor painting depicting an African mask, with broad swaths of purple, orange and brown in the background. Signed "Ridley" lower right and dated '69. Metallic frame with canted rabbet edge. Sight – 23" H x 18" W. Framed – 27" H x 22" W. Biography: Greg Ridley was born in Smyrna, TN, and 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 African-American 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 and best known works was the creation of 80 copper panels for the Grand Reading Room of the Nashville Public Library, Nashville, Tennessee. Provenance: the collection of Howard and Annemarie Harrod, Nashville, TN. Mrs. Harrod was a longtime patron of Mr. Ridley. CONDITION: Light toning, some light creasing upper right; overall very good condition.