Early Life and Family of Sterling Boyd Strauser

Born in 1907 in Bloomsburg, Pennsylvania, Sterling Boyd Strauser entered a world that would eventually see his name linked to the very essence of his heritage. He was the son of Boyd Wesley and Emma Freas Strauser, growing up alongside his brother, Fred. There is a poetic resonance in his name, for his German roots carry the meaning "one who binds the flowers," a sentiment that would later find a quiet reflection in the themes of his creative life.

Life for Sterling Boyd Strauser was deeply intertwined with the person of his wife, Dorothy Ferry Strauser. Together, they became a significant presence in the local art community, acting as both collectors and promoters of the works of others. Their partnership extended into the family they built, which included their daughter, Jill Alves. While his professional life often took him through the administrative and educational sectors, his personal foundations remained rooted in the connections of his early years in Pennsylvania.

Artistic Style and Evolution of Technique

A self-taught hand guided his early efforts, beginning in 1926 with a style that leaned toward the gentle nuances of impressionism. As the years passed, his vision underwent a profound transformation. The soft touches of his youth gave way to an assertive modernism, characterized by a structural clarity reminiscent of Klee. This evolution did not stop there, as his brushwork eventually matured into a potent form of expressionism, where the emotion of the subject was felt through the very substance of the paint.

He favored the tactile nature of oil on board, a medium that allowed him to push the physical limits of his materials. He became particularly known for a heavy impasto technique, building up layers of pigment to create a surface that was as much a sculpture as it was a painting. This thick application of oil gave his works a rugged, physical presence, turning simple subjects into textured landscapes of color. His signature florals and various animal studies often relied on this depth to convey life and movement.

Professional Roles and Career History

Before his name became associated with the canvas, Strauser navigated the structured duties of community leadership and industry. In the late 1920s, he stepped into the role of principal at the Mount Pocono grade school, a position he held from 1928 until 1929. This period of educational administration was a brief chapter compared to the long tenure that followed in the industrial landscape of East Stroudsburg.

By 1930, his path led him to the International Boiler Works, where he would spend the better part of three decades. He entered this world as a shipping clerk, learning the rhythms of commerce and logistics through the years. His steady climb within the company saw him rise from those early clerical duties to the position of company secretary. He remained a fixture at the works until his retirement in 1962, having dedicated thirty-two years to the institution.

While his professional life was anchored in these practical roles, his creative presence began to find its footing in the public eye. A significant milestone occurred in 1939, when he held his first exhibition at the Zimbalist Gallery in New York City. This emergence into the gallery space marked the beginning of a life lived between the steady requirements of the working world and the private, expressive demands of his art.

Notable Works and Artistic Achievements

His brush captured a wide variety of subjects, ranging from the lively to the deeply personal. He found life in the movement of animals and the quietude of nature, producing works such as The Giraffes, Trains, and a Newborn Palomino Colt. His ability to translate these subjects onto board allowed him to explore themes of life and loss, seen clearly in pieces like Mother’s Funeral and Spring is Bursting Out. He also turned his attention to more spirited characters, such as the Saucy Rooster, and composed works like The Circus, Nancy Emma, and Trotters, which he worked on between 1962 and 1965.

The recognition of his talent extended beyond the local community. In 1989, he received an award from the Delaware Water Gap Celebration of the Arts. His dedication to his craft and his unique perspective eventually earned him an Award of Distinction from the Folk Art Society of America.

Legacy and Influence in the Art World

Beyond the canvas, Sterling Boyd Strauser and his wife, Dorothy, acted as vital conduits for the creative spirit in the Pocono Region. They were not merely observers but active collectors and promoters who championed the works of folk and outsider artists. This dedication to the local creative community extended to the discovery and encouragement of other artists, such as Justin McCarthy and Joseph Polinsky. Through their patronage, they helped foster a landscape where unconventional voices could find a place among the established collectors of Pennsylvania.

His impact on the cultural life of the area was so deeply felt that the Delaware Water Gap Celebration of the Arts was named in his honor in 1989. This recognition spoke to a life spent deeply embedded in the artistic fabric of his surroundings. Even after his passing, his presence remains anchored in the academic and public spheres of East Stroudsburg. The Sterling Strauser Gallery at East Stroudsburg University stands as a dedicated space for his work, ensuring that his visual language continues to be studied and appreciated by new generations.

Where to See His Works Today

The reach of his visual language extends far beyond the Pocono Region where he spent much of his life. Many of his paintings found their way into permanent collections across the United States, ensuring his presence in various institutional archives. In Pennsylvania, one might find his handiwork within the Allentown Art Museum in Allentown, or perhaps at Lehigh University in Bethlehem. His presence is also felt in Scranton, where the Everhart Museum holds his pieces.

Travelers heading south toward Tennessee will find his works held by both the Cheekwood Museum and Vanderbilt University in Nashville. His influence traveled even further, reaching the Maier Museum of Art in Lynchburg, Virginia. Beyond the borders of America, his art crossed the Atlantic to find a home in the American Museum in Bath, England. These various repositories preserve the textures and forms he developed throughout his long life.

• Spring is Bursting Out
• The Circus
• Mother’s Funeral
• Nancy Emma
• The Giraffes
• Saucy Rooster