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William Dorsey (1942-2019)
Untitled (Upper Ventura River, Ojai)
Date unknown
Oil on canvas
18” H x 24” W (image size)
22.5” H x 28.5” W (frame size)
Signed lower right: Wm Dorsey
Estimated value: $1,500 - $2,500
Artist Biography
Born in Washington D.C., William Dorsey (1942-2019) developed a love for Alaska as a child when his father was stationed there with the Air Force from 1949 to 1951. The family moved to Ojai, California in 1955. Following his graduation from Nordhoff High School, Dorsey returned to Alaska in 1961, piloting a Piper Cub. Sharing his time between California and Alaska for over 30 years, Dorsey capitalized on all his skills to earn a living while developing his painting style. He worked as an Alaskan bush pilot, a fisherman, a lumberjack, a boat builder and a song writer, writing songs under contract for Screen Gems-Columbia Music. Dorsey wrote songs for the Monkey’s, Tiny Tim, The Partridge Family, Bobbie Gentry and Michael Martin Murphey, among others.
Primarily self-taught, William was best known as a California landscape painter. His paintings were reminiscent of the early California Impressionists with rich atmospheric perspective and depth. After spending over 50 years in Ojai, Dorsey moved to the Eastern Sierra in 2004, then to Palm Desert in 2010.
Auction Information
The 14th Annual Fine Art Auction Fundraiser
Saturday, August 17, 2024
The silent auction starts at 3:00 PM.
The live auction starts at 4:00 PM.
Auction admission: $15.00 SPAM members, $20.00 Non-members
All proceeds benefit the Santa Paula Art Museum, a 501(c)(3) charitable organization #2478728.
All major credit cards, check, and cash are accepted.
Sales tax will be applied to all hammer prices. There is no buyer’s premium.