Early George Ayers Cress (Alabama/Tennessee, 1921-2008) panoramic oil on canvas Southern regionalist farm landscape, depicting mother and child amidst a meager cotton crop in a plowed field. Three rustic log buildings including a smokehouse stand in the distance beneath a cloudy blue sky. Signed and dated "George Cress 1946," lower right. With old accession number to back of stretcher. Unframed: 16" H x 30 1/4" W. Biography: "George Cress was born in Anniston, Alabama and studied at Emory University, American University, and at the University of Georgia under fellow Southern contemporary artist Lamar Dodd. He was a central figure in Chattanooga's arts community and served as President of the Tennessee Arts Council. He sat on the board of the Hunter Museum of Art. From 1951-1984 he was painter in residence at the University of Tennessee in Chattanooga. The Cress Gallery of Art at UTC is named in his honor." (Source: The Tennessee Historical Quarterly Vol. XLIV No. 2: "Landscape and Genre Painting in Tennessee 1810-1985"). Overall very good condition, with minor buckling and a 1" x 1/2" area of loss with exposed canvas, upper right. Canvas has been restretched.