“My spirit wanes like moon glow on dirty carpeting. But my soul burns regular unleaded without pinging.”

1933

Born in Kalamazoo, Michigan on August 3.

1949-1952

Attended boarding school at Cranbrook School in Bloomfield Hills, MI (largely because his parents did not know what to do with him). Got expelled during senior year. Graduated from Kalamazoo Central High School.

1952-1958

Attended University of Michigan in Ann Arbor, MI. Graduated with a Bachelor of Science in Design. Married Salli Fagan, a debutante from Battle Creek, MI. Attended graduate school at Cranbrook Academy of Art, Bloomfield Hills, MI. MFA in Graphic Design.

early 1960's

Had a series of jobs which included: building furniture prototypes for Ken Issacs, architect & designer; welding assistant for Maurice Prost, sculptor; product designer at Litton Industries in East Orange, NJ.

1976-1981

Taught studio art and art history at Kalamazoo College, Kalamazoo Valley Community College, Western Michigan University and Kalamazoo Art Center.

1982-1994

Founded an art gallery on the bottom floor of his historic home in Kalamazoo, Michigan called SIX17 Art Gallery. It was hugely popular but not financially successful. In 1985, he created the stop motion film, “Klugerville” featuring his wood sculptures, metal constructions and set design. It was filmed with a 16mm camera mounted on a old rollerskate from the garage. He moved to Galisteo, New Mexico in 1989— a place he had always hoped to live. He loved the Sangre de Cristo mountains and the big, open spaces.

1995-2020

The idea of promoting his art disinterested him and the resulting lack of commercial success led him to give up painting. His creative outlet became writing; he wrote over a dozen novels and collections of poetry as well as an opera. In 2007, he moved from Galisteo to Santa Fe. After a nearly 20 year hiatus, he began painting again in his backyard studio.

2020

Adopted the pseudonym of Ira Wright. The name came from a visit to Starbuck’s where he was asked his name for his order. He told the barista Mr. Wright and said later that he regretted the choice.

2015-2023

Produced over 300 paintings and drawings. He was very disciplined and painted nearly every afternoon. In 2022, he teamed up with Ann Landi of Vassari21 to launch a gallery in Taos, New Mexico called the Wright Contemporary. In December of 2023, he had a retrospective show in which artist and collector Larry Bell purchased every piece on opening night.

Santa Fe studio

March 2024

Completed his last painting, We Speak Another Language, while in a wheelchair using paintbrushes attached to long wooden dowels. He died at home shortly after, on March 8. Watch a video retrospective, “The Art of Wright,” here.

In Grand Marais, MI in front of the two cabins he named Mickey and Minnie.

1960s-70s

Graphic Designer & Art Director at Sequoia Press in Kalamazoo, MI.
Worked with many notable Kalamazoo artists including Kirk Newman,
Bette Beeby, Robert Hamill, and Steve Hansen.

1971-1975

Foundry worker at Richland Art Foundry in Richland, MI. By this time,
he had three children and his first marriage had failed. He moved into
a dilapidated rental with no furniture except for a
drum kit and his easels.