IMPRESSIONS FROM A LADDER: THE ART OF WARREN CLOUGH

 

Warren Clough, a self-taught painter in oils with a passion for landscapes, began painting with his work propped up on the kitchen table. Later, he created space in his dark basement for a studio, using an old wooden ladder he had converted into an easel. Money was tight in the Clough household with a wife and three children and the salary of an Oshkosh city employee so his limited funds bought oil paints and brushes with little or none left over for canvas or gesso. Nevertheless, his output was a prodigious with countless landscapes reflecting his love of nature. Details abound in his work, whether from observations of the Wisconsin landscape, his collection of photos, newspaper clippings, pages from hunting magazines or his own vivid imagination. For Warren, a painting was not finished until it had its own custom made frame, each with textures and color which enhanced the piece.

Warren Clough (1915-1979) was born in Eau Claire, Wisc, married Elsie Luft in 1941, served in the U.S. Navy from 1943-1945, and was employed by the city of Oshkosh from 1947-1977, the father of three children.

The family of Warren Clough and the Walls of Wittenberg, Inc take great pleasure in presenting this first ever showing of the work of Warren Clough. We deeply appreciate the willingness of many individuals who were willing to loan their paintings for this show.