Kenneth Nack (1923–2009) studied at the School of the Art Institute of Chicago before moving to Paris to work with Fernand Léger. Named one of America’s most promising young painters by LIFE in 1950, Nack later settled in Santa Barbara, where he chaired the Art Department at Santa Barbara City College for 35 years. His work was exhibited at major institutions including MoMA, the Whitney Museum, the Guggenheim, LACMA, and The Met.