Watercolors
There are scant watercolors previous to the 1980s when the artist devoted himself primarily to painting with acrylic on canvas and watercolors on paper. A few watercolors exist from the 1960s (those done in the 1950s were burned in the 1971 fire), but the bulk of his production began in the 1980s. During this period and later in his practice, Cicero began his process with a drawing before the application of watercolor pigment. “I was essentially painting my drawings,” he has said. “These pieces are fanciful and less violent than my paintings of the same period.” Spends time in Venice and takes night shots with black-and-white film that he uses as references for watercolors (’06). Many of Cicero watercolors were included in painting exhibitions held in numerous galleries and several museums. The following museums own watercolors: Newark Museum of Art [The Lovers (’87)],
There are scant watercolors previous to the 1980s when the artist devoted himself primarily to painting with acrylic on canvas and watercolors on paper. A few watercolors exist from the 1960s (those done in the 1950s were burned in the 1971 fire), but the bulk of his production began in the 1980s. During this period and later in his practice, Cicero began his process with a drawing before the application of watercolor pigment. “I was essentially painting my drawings,” he has said. “These pieces are fanciful and less violent than my paintings of the same period.” Spends time in Venice and takes night shots with black-and-white film that he uses as references for watercolors (’06). Many of Cicero watercolors were included in painting exhibitions held in numerous galleries and several museums. The following museums own watercolors: Newark Museum of Art [The Lovers (’87)], National Academy of Design [Self-Portrait (’89)]; Cape Cod Museum of Art [The Story of Life (’89) and Rage (’95)], Provincetown Art Association and Museum [Man with Saxophone—Night (’96) and Untitled (black man playing saxophone) (’96)]; Mint Museum, Charlotte, NC [Black Dog (’91)].
Solo Exhibitions: Recent Watercolors, Graham Modern Gallery, New York (’87); Watercolors, June Kelly Gallery, New York (’88); Paintings and Watercolors, June Kelly Gallery, (’90); Paintings and Watercolors, June Kelly Gallery (’95); Paintings and Watercolors, Jenkins Johnson Gallery, San Francisco (’98); Carmen Cicero: Watercolors, Jenkins Johnson Gallery, San Francisco (’00); Watercolors, Cape Cod Museum of Art, Dennis, MA (’07); Things That Happen in the Moonlight, June Kelly Gallery, New York (’07); Carmen Cicero: Watercolors, Shore Galleries, Provincetown (’10); Watercolors: 1985–2017, June Kelly Gallery (’21); Drawings and Watercolors, 1954–2024, June Kelly Gallery (’24).
Group Exhibitions: International Watercolors, Brooklyn Museum (’59); Grippi Graphics, New York (’68); Expressionist Watercolors, Berta Walker Gallery, Provincetown (’00); Hidden Gems: Works on Paper, June Kelly Gallery (’09); Long Point: An Artists’ Place, Provincetown Art Association and Museum (’12); Mel Leipzig and Friends, PAAM (’23); Loft Law: The Last of New York City’s Original Artist Lofts, Westwood Gallery, New York (’24).
Cicero’s early musical training on the clarinet began conventionally in elementary school where he was classically trained—chromatic scales and such and quickly distinguished himself by mastering the classic Flight of the Bumblebee. An enthusiastic and dedicated student, Cicero enjoyed practicing and set his sights on a musical career, playing in the school band and orchestra. Among his early teachers was Charles Thetford, who played first chair clarinet in the Radio City Music Hall Orchestra. Cicero became first clarinet chair in the New Jersey All-State Orchestra and was a member of a pep band dressed in uniforms that played at baseball games. He became interested in jazz after listening to the big bands. Cicero’s next professional teacher was Joe Allard, the legendary saxophonist and clarinetist who played
There are scant watercolors previous to the 1980s when the artist devoted himself primarily to painting with acrylic on canvas and watercolors on paper. A few watercolors exist from the 1960s (those done in the 1950s were burned in the 1971 fire), but the bulk of his production began in the 1980s. During this period and later in his practice, Cicero began his process with a drawing before the application of watercolor pigment. “I was essentially painting my drawings,” he has said. “These pieces are fanciful and less violent than my paintings of the same period.” Spends time in Venice and takes night shots with black-and-white film that he uses as references for watercolors (’06). Many of Cicero watercolors were included in painting exhibitions held in numerous galleries and several museums. The following museums own watercolors: Newark Museum of Art [The Lovers (’87)], National Academy of Design [Self-Portrait (’89)]; Cape Cod Museum of Art [The Story of Life (’89) and Rage (’95)], Provincetown Art Association and Museum [Man with Saxophone—Night (’96) and Untitled (black man playing saxophone) (’96)]; Mint Museum, Charlotte, NC [Black Dog (’91)].
Solo Exhibitions: Recent Watercolors, Graham Modern Gallery, New York (’87); Watercolors, June Kelly Gallery, New York (’88); Paintings and Watercolors, June Kelly Gallery, (’90); Paintings and Watercolors, June Kelly Gallery (’95); Paintings and Watercolors, Jenkins Johnson Gallery, San Francisco (’98); Carmen Cicero: Watercolors, Jenkins Johnson Gallery, San Francisco (’00); Watercolors, Cape Cod Museum of Art, Dennis, MA (’07); Things That Happen in the Moonlight, June Kelly Gallery, New York (’07); Carmen Cicero: Watercolors, Shore Galleries, Provincetown (’10); Watercolors: 1985–2017, June Kelly Gallery (’21); Drawings and Watercolors, 1954–2024, June Kelly Gallery (’24).
Group Exhibitions: International Watercolors, Brooklyn Museum (’59); Grippi Graphics, New York (’68); Expressionist Watercolors, Berta Walker Gallery, Provincetown (’00); Hidden Gems: Works on Paper, June Kelly Gallery (’09); Long Point: An Artists’ Place, Provincetown Art Association and Museum (’12); Mel Leipzig and Friends, PAAM (’23); Loft Law: The Last of New York City’s Original Artist Lofts, Westwood Gallery, New York (’24).
National Academy of Design [Self-Portrait (’89)]; Cape Cod Museum of Art [The Story of Life (’89) and Rage (’95)], Provincetown Art Association and Museum [Man with Saxophone—Night (’96) and Untitled (black man playing saxophone) (’96)]; Mint Museum, Charlotte, NC [Black Dog (’91)].
Solo Exhibitions: Recent Watercolors, Graham Modern Gallery, New York (’87); Watercolors, June Kelly Gallery, New York (’88); Paintings and Watercolors, June Kelly Gallery, (’90); Paintings and Watercolors, June Kelly Gallery (’95); Paintings and Watercolors, Jenkins Johnson Gallery, San Francisco (’98); Carmen Cicero: Watercolors, Jenkins Johnson Gallery, San Francisco (’00); Watercolors, Cape Cod Museum of Art, Dennis, MA (’07); Things That Happen in the Moonlight, June Kelly Gallery, New York (’07);
with Toscanini and taught many great clarinet and sax players. For his favorite students, Allard would go to the Buffet Clarinet Factory in Paris, where he was well known by the proprietors, and allowed to select the finest instruments for his students. So, his pupil, Cicero, was the fortunate recipient of what he called his “Stradivarius” clarinet. He began playing weekends with a commercial trio providing music for countless bar mitzvahs, weddings and parties. Cicero then expanded his professional pursuits by playing with bands in the “Borsht Belt”—the famous Jewish summer resorts in the Catskills of upstate New York. The band was always a mix of ethnicities—Jews, Italians, Poles and more and the only judgments passed were along musical
Carmen Cicero: Watercolors, Shore Galleries, Provincetown (’10); Watercolors: 1985–2017, June Kelly Gallery (’21); Drawings and Watercolors, 1954–2024, June Kelly Gallery (’24).
Group Exhibitions: International Watercolors, Brooklyn Museum (’59); Grippi Graphics, New York (’68); Expressionist Watercolors, Berta Walker Gallery, Provincetown (’00); Hidden Gems: Works on Paper, June Kelly Gallery (’09); Long Point: An Artists’ Place, Provincetown Art Association and Museum (’12); Mel Leipzig and Friends, PAAM (’23); Loft Law: The Last of New York City’s Original Artist Lofts, Westwood Gallery, New York (’24).
Self-Portrait
1989
Watercolor on paper, 22-1/2 x 30 inches.. Collection National Academy of Design Museum, New York
Self-Portrait
1989
Watercolor on paper, 22-1/2 x 30 inches.. Collection National Academy of Design Museum, New York
Self-Portrait
1989
Watercolor on paper, 22-1/2 x 30 inches.. Collection National Academy of Design Museum, New York
Self-Portrait
1989
Watercolor on paper, 22-1/2 x 30 inches.. Collection National Academy of Design Museum, New York
The Story of Life
1990
The Story of Life
1990
The Story of Life
1990
The Story of Life
1990
New Yorker Talking to Himself
1999
Watercolor on paper, 14 1/4 × 20 inches
New Yorker Talking to Himself
1999
Watercolor on paper, 14 1/4 × 20 inches
New Yorker Talking to Himself
1999
Watercolor on paper, 14 1/4 × 20 inches
New Yorker Talking to Himself
1999
Watercolor on paper, 14 1/4 × 20 inches
Red Hair
1993
Watercolor on paper, 22 1/4 × 30 inches
Red Hair
1993
Watercolor on paper, 22 1/4 × 30 inches
Red Hair
1993
Watercolor on paper, 22 1/4 × 30 inches
Red Hair
1993
Watercolor on paper, 22 1/4 × 30 inches
The Canoe
1993
Watercolor on paper, 22 × 30 inches
The Canoe
1993
Watercolor on paper, 22 × 30 inches
The Canoe
1993
Watercolor on paper, 22 × 30 inches
The Canoe
1993
Watercolor on paper, 22 × 30 inches
The Serpent
1998
Watercolor on paper, 18 × 24 inches
The Serpent
1998
Watercolor on paper, 18 × 24 inches
The Serpent
1998
Watercolor on paper, 18 × 24 inches
The Serpent
1998
Watercolor on paper, 18 × 24 inches
Rage
1995
Watercolor on paper, 45 × 65 inches. framed. Cape Cod Museum of Art, Dennis, Massachusetts
Rage
1995
Watercolor on paper, 45 × 65 inches. framed. Cape Cod Museum of Art, Dennis, Massachusetts
Rage
1995
Watercolor on paper, 45 × 65 inches. framed. Cape Cod Museum of Art, Dennis, Massachusetts
Rage
1995
Watercolor on paper, 45 × 65 inches. framed. Cape Cod Museum of Art, Dennis, Massachusetts
The Traveler
1998
Watercolor on paper, 22 1/2 × 30 inches. Collection of Bob Griffin, New York
The Traveler
1998
Watercolor on paper, 22 1/2 × 30 inches. Collection of Bob Griffin, New York
The Traveler
1998
Watercolor on paper, 22 1/2 × 30 inches. Collection of Bob Griffin, New York
The Traveler
1998
Watercolor on paper, 22 1/2 × 30 inches. Collection of Bob Griffin, New York
Mysterious Figure
2020
Watercolor on paper, 9 × 12 inches
Mysterious Figure
2020
Watercolor on paper, 9 × 12 inches
Mysterious Figure
2020
Watercolor on paper, 9 × 12 inches
Mysterious Figure
2020
Watercolor on paper, 9 × 12 inches
What the Nightingale Saw
1993
Watercolor on paper, 22x29-1/2 inches
What the Nightingale Saw
1993
Watercolor on paper, 22x29-1/2 inches
What the Nightingale Saw
1993
Watercolor on paper, 22x29-1/2 inches
What the Nightingale Saw
1993
Watercolor on paper, 22x29-1/2 inches
Tracer of Lost Persons
1993
Watercolor on paper, 30 × 22 1/4. Collection of John Chandler, Little Rock, Arkansas
Tracer of Lost Persons
1993
Watercolor on paper, 30 × 22 1/4. Collection of John Chandler, Little Rock, Arkansas
Tracer of Lost Persons
1993
Watercolor on paper, 30 × 22 1/4. Collection of John Chandler, Little Rock, Arkansas
Tracer of Lost Persons
1993
Watercolor on paper, 30 × 22 1/4. Collection of John Chandler, Little Rock, Arkansas
Moon Gazer
1998
Watercolor on paper, 38-1/2 x 28-3/4 inches
Moon Gazer
1998
Watercolor on paper, 38-1/2 x 28-3/4 inches
Moon Gazer
1998
Watercolor on paper, 38-1/2 x 28-3/4 inches
Moon Gazer
1998
Watercolor on paper, 38-1/2 x 28-3/4 inches
Yellow Car
1997
Watercolor on paper, 22 1/2 × 30 inches
Yellow Car
1997
Watercolor on paper, 22 1/2 × 30 inches
Yellow Car
1997
Watercolor on paper, 22 1/2 × 30 inches
Yellow Car
1997
Watercolor on paper, 22 1/2 × 30 inches
Burning Bright
1999
Watercolor on paper, 33-3/8x43-1/4 inches
Burning Bright
1999
Watercolor on paper, 33-3/8x43-1/4 inches
Burning Bright
1999
Watercolor on paper, 33-3/8x43-1/4 inches
Burning Bright
1999
Watercolor on paper, 33-3/8x43-1/4 inches
The contents of this site, including all images and text, are for educational and non-commercial use only and are the sole property of Carmen Cicero. The contents of this site may not be reproduced in any form without written permission from Carmen Cicero. For all image requests and reproduction rights, please contact hello@carmencicero.com.
© 2024 Carmen Cicero. All Rights Reserved. New York City, NY.
Website designed & developed by
© 2024 Carmen Cicero. All Rights Reserved. New York City, NY.
Website designed & developed by
The contents of this site, including all images and text, are for educational and non-commercial use only and are the sole property of Carmen Cicero. The contents of this site may not be reproduced in any form without written permission from Carmen Cicero. For all image requests and reproduction rights, please contact hello@carmencicero.com.
© 2024 Carmen Cicero. All Rights Reserved. New York City, NY.
Website designed & developed by
The contents of this site, including all images and text, are for educational and non-commercial use only and are the sole property of Carmen Cicero. The contents of this site may not be reproduced in any form without written permission from Carmen Cicero. For all image requests and reproduction rights, please contact hello@carmencicero.com.
© 2024 Carmen Cicero. All Rights Reserved. New York City, NY.
Website designed & developed by
