Dorothy Brush "Random Thoughts" Published July 23, 2003

The Ted DeGrazia story, Part II

Before I interviewed artist Ted DeGrazia at his Gallery in the Sun in Tucson, I had time to meander around the place filled with his paintings. Some of his very early paintings were dark and somber. These were in stark contrast to his later work that exudes happiness. I asked him about the difference.

He replied that those early works resulted from his feeling that no matter what he did he felt defeated. He knew he was talented but he was shunned by this country's art circles. DeGrazia said, "I'm still not approved by society or the art world. I'm glad now I wasn't a darling because I can stand back and tell them to go to hell."

When he began reproducing his original paintings on plates, cards and many other articles, the art establishment became even more vocal accusing him of going commercial. There was a tinge of bitterness in his voice as he said, "I started at the bottom and worked my way up. I don't know how high up is." He added, "It was plain people and their instincts that made me."

On that long ago July day in 1972 this rough talking man, often called the "irreverent angel," showed a tender side in the time he allowed for our interview. I mentioned the lovely small chapel on his property and he said he had designed and built it with his own hands. Then he led me out the back door of his studio to show me another project under way. We stood before another yet unfinished chapel DeGrazia was building as a "solace," a retreat for nuns. In the shape of a cross it would be enclosed by a brick wall. He said, "I like to build as much as paint." We walked the perimeters of the future wall and DeGrazia indicated with his hands that it would be a curving wall to give the feel of movement. "I like motion in my work," he said.

Born and nurtured a Catholic, DeGrazia was close to but never boxed-in by his church. His work is filled with expressions of his faith. When pressures began to build in his life he headed for his beloved Superstition Mountain and always returned refreshed. Four years after our interview DeGrazia made national news. On May 14, 1976 on Superstition Mountain he piled over 100 of his paintings in a heap and set them on fire. They were valued at more than $1.5 million and this act was DeGrazia's protest against inheritance taxes.

During our interview he said, "I have told my wife she should burn all my paintings when I die so she won't have to pay taxes." He also admitted he didn't like things to be routine and he needed to upset the balance once in awhile. That defiant act exemplified both those thoughts.

This one-of-a-kind man died of cancer in September, 1982. He was 73 and rich but his wealth had no effect on his relationship with his friends. To him they were equals and at the funeral 600 cowboys, artisans, business owners, Indian, Mexican and Anglo men, women and children were there. His grave is beside the first chapel he built in honor of the Virgin of Guadalupe. As the coffin was lowered, the priest laid DeGrazia's cowboy hat on top.

In that 1972 visit he told me, "I'm facing the sunset and I'm prepared for it."

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Dorothy Copus Brush is a Fairfield Glade resident and Crossville Chronicle staffwriter whose column is published each Wednesday.