Ida Foreman 1949 to 2019Ida Foreman was the more colorful half of Idavid Graficks.
She passed on December 16th, 2019 at a Bernie Sanders Rally. That was eight hours after her final screen printing class at College of the Desert, Palm Desert and four days after her 70th Birthday. She taught screen printing at C.O.D. for twenty years and was one of the most loved and respected Art Teachers ever. She also taught Ancient Art History at times. When not teaching, Ida was Encaustic (Bees Wax) painting or doing color work for Idavid Graficks projects. Ever since Cal Arts in 1977, Ida's painting medium was Encaustic due to the medium's intense color capabilities and translucency. On non-teaching days, Ida would walk a mile or so in our very rurual desert neighborhood and also take occassional hikes in the nearby Joshua Tree National Park wilderness to our South. She loved her home and family. |
Self Portrait by Ida in 1974 Cal Arts
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Bernie Sanders Press ReleaseDecember 27, 2019
RANCHO MIRAGE – Last week, Ida Foreman Fick, a Bernie 2020 supporter, passed away during a rally in Rancho Mirage. Ida was an accomplished artist, arts teacher, and strong supporter of Sen. Sanders, who committed herself to progressive causes throughout her life. She and her husband, David Fick, have been community activists based in Joshua Tree since the mid-1980s. The two were integrally involved in efforts to protect the desert from threats including the massive Eagle Mountain Mega-dump that was planned for the border of Joshua Tree National Park. “I’m deeply saddened to hear of Ida's passing,” said Sanders. “She was a beloved progressive activist and teacher, and Jane and my thoughts are with her entire family.” Ida was the daughter of Lt. Colonel James N. Foreman, a decorated tank commander under General Patton, who fought with the Third Army from the beaches of Normandy to the Battle of the Bulge, and later served as part of the Army's Diplomatic Corp in post-war Japan where she was born. Ida was a teacher and artist who made encaustic paintings and taught Fine Art Screen Printing and Printmaking at College of the Desert. Ida loved and shared the beauty of nature with her students, colleagues, and friends. After graduating Cal Arts, she partnered with her husband to run a fine art screen printing studio in Joshua Tree. She was inseparable from David, for 44 years. The couple has one son, Arthur Foreman Fick. “Everyone on the Bernie 2020 California team is saddened by the loss of Ida, and will forever be grateful for her lifelong efforts to make this country a more just, beautiful place,” said Bernie 2020 California State Director Rafael Navar. “We will carry her values with us as we move forward, and will always be thankful for her support.” ###PAID FOR BY BERNIE 2020 PO Box 391 - Burlington, Vermont 05402, United States |
Ida at the Bernie Sanders Rally
Ida's My Lady Encaustic Painting
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Ida at the beach in 1974, photo by Mark Holmes