Harold Gregor was born in Detroit, Michigan in 1929. He received a B.S. from Wayne State University in 1951, followed by a M.S. in painting and ceramics from Michigan State University in 1953. In 1960, he went on to complete a Ph.D. in painting and art history at Ohio State University. He taught art at San Diego State University from 1960-1963, Purdue University from 1963-1966, and Chapman College from 1966-1970. Gregor joined the faculty as a Distinguised Professor of Art at Illinois State University in 1970. In 1995, he retired with Emeritus standing.

Gregor received attention for his artwork in the early 1970s, during the Photo-realism movement. His realistic pieces feature Midwest farm structures and landscape scenes. He later became known for his flatscape paintings, which use aerial perspective and blocks of color to suggest Midwest landscapes, as well as his abstract “trail” paintings, inspired by a local walking trail. Gregor is represented by Richard Gray Gallery in Chicago, Illinois; Gerald Peters Gallery in Santa Fe, New Mexico; ACA Galleries in Chelsea, New York City; and Tony Folliard Gallery in Milwaukee, Wisconsin. Notably, the artist showed a painting in the Oval Office from 2009-2010, at President Obama’s request.

Harold Gregor passed away on October 8, 2018. Source: www.hgregor.com