Abstract Master Ellsworth Kelly Dies at 92

American master of abstract art, Ellsworth Kelly, died Sunday at his home in Spencertown, New York at the age of 92.  His death was announced by Matthew Marks of the Matthew Marks Gallery in New York.

The painter, sculptor and printmaker had studied at the School of the Museum of Fine Arts in Boston after his discharge from the U.S. Army in 1945.  His formative years as an artist were spent in Paris from 1948 to 1955 with support from the GI Bill.

He is credited with a distinctive style of American painting by combining solid shapes and colors of European abstraction with forms from everyday life.

“He was simply one of the great modern painters or our era, certainly of the 20th century,” said Harry Cooper, head curator of Modern Art at the National Gallery of Art in Washington.  Cooper also said Kelly became “something of a brand” similar to Jackson Pollock. “He was totally original, committed to his kind of abstraction and he never wavered,” said Cooper.

Art News  said, “He was among a handful of artists, emerging in the years after World War Two, who defined the art of the past half-century.”

In recent days, art museums and celebrities who love art have paid tribute to Kelly on social media.

Motorhead’s Lemmy Dead at Age 70

British hard rock icon Lemmy, the lead singer and bass player for Motorhead, had died at the age of 70, two days after being diagnosed with cancer.

“There is no easy way to say this…our mighty, noble friend Lemmy passed away today after a short battle with an extremely aggressive cancer,” Motorhead said in a Facebook posting Monday “We cannot begin to express our shock and sadness, there aren’t words.”

The band noted that he had been diagnosed with cancer on December 26.

Born Ian Kilmister, Lemmy formed Motorhead in 1975. He was known for his aggressive bass and his gravelly voice on such songs as “Bomber,” “Overkill” and the band’s most famous track “Ace of Spades.”

“It's still very popular. When we do it onstage, everyone loves it," Lemmy told Rolling Stone in August.

Many rock and heavy metal musicians have been paying tribute to the Motorhead front man.

On Twitter, Ozzy Osbourne called him a warrior and a legend. "Lost one of my best friends, Lemmy, today. He will be sadly missed. He was a warrior and a legend. I will see you on the other side."

"We've lost a friend & legend," Foo Fighters said in a Facebook posting.

Metallica tweeted that it would be “forever grateful for all your inspiration.”

Lemmy was known for his hard living lifestyle that including heavy drinking. While confirming his death, Motorhead urged fans to “play Lemmy's music loud. Have a drink or few. Share stories. Celebrate the life this lovely, wonderful man celebrated so vibrantly himself. He would want exactly that."