Carl Christian Abel

California impressionist and wood carver Carl Christian Abel came to Laguna Beach from his homeland in Denmark in the 1930s.  Abel was a man of many talents and originally designed airplanes and ran an air cirus.  Arriving in California, he continued his design work in architecture as well as in painting and woodcarving.  He collaborated with Norman Rockwell translating Rockwell’s illustrations into woodcarvings.  Presidents Dwight Eisenhower and Richard Nixon collected Abel’s works.

“Sea Spray, Laguna” illustrates Abel’s strong sense of design, with Arts and Crafts tendencies.  The artist’s thick brushwork and use of contrasting deep blues with golden oranges create a light and energy.