Biography
Frederick Frank Meiers was born in El Paso, Texas in 1916.
He moved to San Diego, California in 1925 to live with his grandparents. He
received a BA in French literature from San Diego State College and a Master’s Degree in painting from Claremont Graduate
School. While in Claremont, he met and married Barbara Taylor, a fellow graduate
student in the art program.
As a pupil of Millard Sheets, Meiers painted still life and regionalist scenes during the late
1930’s and early 1940’s. He served in the U.S. Navy during WWII and
painted impressionistic scenes of life on the Hawaiian Islands while stationed there.
After returning from the war Meiers taught painting and directed the art gallery at Long Beach
City College. He and his family resided in Palos Verdes, California from 1951
to 1992. This was the setting and subject for many of his paintings. Scenes of San Pedro, Redondo Beach, fishing boats, surfers and beach acrobatics were also frequent subjects.
In 1957 Meiers and his family made a fortuitous trip to Michoacán, Mexico to reside for the
summer in a colonial house in the town of Patzcuaro. Meiers love of Mexico blossomed
into a business importing folk art and later designing fabric, tapestries, and stoneware.
Some of these fabrics were internationally marketed through the Herman Miller Company.
Despite the success of the business during that time, Meiers continued to paint.
Meiers and his wife served as founding members of the board for the Mingei International Museum
in San Diego. They were also substantial contributing collectors to the Fowler
Museum at UCLA.
Exhibited:
·
California Water Color Society
– 1945
·
Barnard’s Gallery, Los
Angeles, CA – 1949
·
Palos Verdes Library, CA –
1960
·
Art Rental Gallery, Los Angeles
County Museum of Art
