P629 629 TELEINF 03:21:07 ABSTRACT ARTIST SAM FRANCIS DIES AT 71 LOS ANGELES - Abstract artist Sam Francis has died of cancer at the age of 71, a spokesman for the artist said Monday. "He was a great painter. He was the first american painter of my generation who achieved international fame," said Andre Emmerich, Francis' New York representati6e. Francis was one of the few abstract expressionists to be based in Califor- nia, where he was born and where he returned some 30 years ago. He helped found the museum of contemporary art in Los Angeles. He came to art almost by accident -- bored during convales- cence after being hurt in an airplane crash while in the army during World War II, Francis started painting in his hospital bed. The budding artist met expressionist painter David Park see next page >>>