Alan Duncan, a prolific Sacramento artist who remained true to his muse while supporting his family as a civil servant, has died at age 79.
He died Aug. 15 of complications of heart disease, diabetes and other ailments, said his daughter, Barbara Payne.
Mr. Duncan created vibrant abstract and representational works, ranging from watercolor landscapes to a large, luminous painting of toothbrushes that was purchased by a dentist. As a working artist at the California State Fair, he created images on a giant canvas while engaging observers in thoughtful discussions about what art is.
He drew as a child and studied art at Sacramento City College before spending a year at the renowned Chouinard School of Art in Los Angeles. He finished his bachelor's degree in art at Sacramento State in 1952, the same year he was drafted into the Army for two years. He served as a sergeant in the 25th Infantry Division and fought in the Korean War.
Mr. Duncan was married with children when he took a steady job with Sacramento County in 1956. He worked in probation and social services programs and retired in 1990 as a supervisor for in-home supportive services.
"He painted nights, weekends, vacations and, once in a long while, when we'd go away for 2 1/2 to three days," said his wife, Catherine. "He stayed with it."
Mr. Duncan devoted himself to art full time after retiring. He showed and won prizes at juried contests and the State Fair and sold many paintings. He earned a master of fine arts degree from Sacramento State and took up sculpting and photography.
Alan Neil Duncan was born in 1928 in Belleville, Ill., and grew up in Washington, D.C., and Colorado before moving with his family to Sacramento. He played football and graduated in 1947 from McClatchy High School.
He married Catherine Carruthers in 1951. They started a family soon after he returned from the Army, setting off a scramble for the young artist to find stable work.
"We had four kids in five years," his wife said. "It was quite a jolt."
Mr. Duncan possessed a curious mind, creative eye and wry sense of humor. He took sailing lessons at Lake Natoma after retiring and played the trombone and classical guitar. He sang in choirs at Cosumnes River College, Bethany Presbyterian Church and Pioneer Congregational Church.
He loved painting abstract works in the Art in Action program at the State Fair. His vivid strokes on giant canvasses drew curious looks and questions from passers-by.
"They'd ask, 'What does it mean?' or 'What is it a picture of?' " Barbara Payne said. "He'd ask them, 'What does it make you feel? Anger? Sadness? Happiness?'
"If it made you feel something, he considered it a real coup. If you felt something, that was art."
Call The Bee's Robert D. Dávila, (916) 321-1077.
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