Dorothy Stratton King facts for kids

Dorothy Stratton King (1909-2007) was an American artist. She was known for her beautiful paintings and prints. Dorothy helped start the Washington Printmakers Gallery in Washington, DC. Her artwork is now kept in many important collections across the United States.

Becoming an Artist

Dorothy Stratton was born in Worcester, Massachusetts. She grew up in a town called Sharon. From a very young age, Dorothy loved to paint.

She moved to Brooklyn, New York. There, she studied drawing and painting at the Pratt Institute. She also took art classes at the Brooklyn Museum School.

In 1942, Dorothy moved to Connecticut. She helped her father deliver telegrams. These messages were sad news for families of soldiers who died in World War II.

Hollywood and Paris Adventures

After a few years, Dorothy moved to Los Angeles, California. She worked at Warner Bros., helping to create "Tom and Jerry" cartoons. She also designed costumes and film sets in Hollywood. This was a very creative time for her!

Later, Dorothy King moved to Paris, France. She continued her art studies at a famous school called the Académie de la Grande Chaumière. This helped her grow even more as an artist.

Finding Her Style

When Dorothy returned to Los Angeles, her art became very popular. She created paintings in a style called abstract expressionism. This means her art used colors and shapes to show feelings, rather than drawing real objects.

In 1959, she had her first big art show. It was at the Pasadena Museum of Art. Later, she learned how to make prints at the University of California in San Diego. Printmaking is a way to create many copies of an artwork.

Later Years and Legacy

In the early 1980s, Dorothy King moved to McLean, Virginia. She helped start the Washington Printmakers Gallery in 1985. This gallery helps artists show their prints. She also joined other art groups, like the Columbia Pike Artist Studios.

Dorothy's prints and paintings have been shown all over the world. Her art was displayed at the World Bank and even at the Pushkin Museum of Fine Arts in Russia. Her work is also part of collections at places like Georgetown University and the National Museum of Women in the Arts in Washington, D.C.

Dorothy King passed away on June 14, 2007, in Arlington, Virginia. Her art continues to inspire many people today.