Aiden Ripley (1896 - 1969) American. Watercolor . Measure 15"in H x 10"in W and 20"in H x 14"in W with frame. Aiden Lassell Ripley was one of Boston's most distinguished artists, and, as President of the Guild of Boston Artists for ten years, 1959 to 1969, was also one of Boston's most beloved. Using oils, watercolors, and graphics, he devoted himself to wildlife subjects. He was born in Boston on December 31, 1896, and grew up in Wakefield, Massachusetts, where his father was a member of the Boston Symphony Orchestra. Young Aiden was also an accomplished musician, but chose art over music for his life-time career. The first exhibition of Ripley's sporting oils and watercolors was held at the Guild of Boston Artists to the delight of his friends. An exhibition of sporting prints, which particularly revealed Ripley's strength as a draftsman, was held later that year. From that point on, his entire body of printmaking was concerned with sporting and wildlife subjects. As the demand and, thus, the prices for his work increased, Ripley added to the number of galleries that represented him, beginning with The Sporting Gallery and, then, Kennedy Gallery in New York, to eventually other galleries around the country. Perhaps the key to Ripley's success lies in the fact that he painted what meant the most to him in life, and he appeared happy just to be able to make a living doing it. He was a tall man, with large hands, yet he had a dedicate touch. He was a member of the Guild of Boston Artists, Boston Watercolor Society, Copley Society, National Academy of Design, the American Watercolor Society, Allied Artists of America, and the National Society of Mural Painters.