Frank Nelson Ashley

Frank Nelson Ashley March 17, 1920 - December 16, 2007 87, died last Sunday, December 16, 2007. A resident of Carmel and Monterey for the past several decades, he was one of the finest representational artists of our time. The accompanying picture is Frank's self-portrait at the age of 37. Frank was born in Lincoln, NE, on March 17, 1920. He attended the University of Minnesota from 1938-41, and enlisted in the Army Air Corps in June, 1941. He served combat duty in England as a B-17 pilot, completing 25 missions. He was awarded two Distinguished Flying Crosses, a Purple Heart and four Air Medals. He was discharged as a captain, and after WW II studied art at the Academy of Art in Chicago, the Minneapolis Art Institute and the Art Students' League in New York City. For most of his life as an artist, both in the United States and in Europe, Frank looked to the Italian Renaissance for guidance and inspiration because of the humanistic philosophy and symbolism involved. In addition, he found the interpretations of Gislebertus, Lautrec and Rodin to be very helpful. Frank focused on four main areas of human activity: the street scene, including cafes, and dancing; music, and especially the world of jazz; sports, with a special emphasis on horse racing and other equestrian competition, and the human beings involved; and water scenes ranging from the canals of Venice to the local waterfront in Capitola. He was the recipient of numerous awards for his work, and his paintings are in the collections of a long list of cognoscenti. Since 1959, Frank enjoyed a wonderful collaborative relationship with the Zantman Art Gallery in Carmel. Frank had a sparkling mind, and was extremely well-read in the areas of history and religion. He was engaging and fun, and could always be counted on to say something irreverent. He was fortunately able to pursue his passion of art up until approximately a year ago, painting almost daily in his studio. Frank is survived by his wife, Katherine Harrington Ashley; his children, Michael, Scott and Catha; and his step-daughters, Theresa Harrington Wright, and Sheila Harrington. Rather than a funeral service, which Frank did not desire, preparations for a celebration of life reception in the coming year are pending. In lieu of flowers, Katherine requests donations in Frank's memory to the Monterey Museum of Art, 559 Pacific, Monterey, CA 93940, or the Carmel Art Association Gallery, Dolores & 6th, P.O. Box 2271, Carmel, CA 93921. Friends are invited to sign the online guestbook for Frank, and leave condolences for the family at www.thepaulmortuary.com.