, 1874-12-13
AR T..
Preparations for the Coming Ezhibi-
tion and Reception.
What Ford, EIkins, DrurY, and the Rest
Of Them, Are Doing.
Pictures from Other Cities.

Pictures from Other Cities.
| Artists are the most mercurial OF beings.
Probably Of no clasa OF people, not even tha
poets, can ono so truthfully say that
Aiany suaft at random sent
Finds mark the archer never meant.
Therefore, one had better, perhaps, keep bis
arrows the quiver, and lot the public Judge Tor
themselves. This they will soon have an oppor-
tunity Of doing for all tho acdemeclans. and
aasociAte members are now busl1y at work pre-
pairing for tho coming art reception and e1hl-
bition. 4 few half hours with tho ar
lists passed in their studios. learning
what they are about, will servo to show
the public what they may expect at
Christmas time this year Chicago is develop
ing artistic talent in a way that would sur
prise a stranger, and perhaps even some OF her
own people, il they never take tho trouble to
climb to those lofty eyrien where artists, like
eagloe. love to build their nests. Still it would
we'll repay the trouble, and they might learn
then, that, for so young city, Chicago has prob
ably developed mora real talent than any other
one could possibly claim in the Same tlnie. Ono
need not 60 abroad, or even to the Eastern sea"
board, to find charming pictures to adorn ones
walls, and 10 different is the feeling OF the vari-
GUS artists, SO varied the study they havo
pursued, that each has something to
oHer having the peculiar stamp OF his own
genius. and totally differing from Ills neighbors.
Therefore the Chlcasoan who loves art for its
sake, or who patronizcs it because it 10 the
fashion who buys pictures TINT they may light
up his homo and make 1t moro attractive, or
merely as SO much necessary furniture, can eas1-
ly satisfy himself, aud at least obtain the germ
OF thst gallery which shall eventually contain
eminent masterpieces, without leaving his own
city,
Ford's studio is full Of objects Of interest. aud
the proposed half-hour soon stretches fur beyond
that time as one il carried back from the cold.
piercing blaste Of winter into the heart OF the
summer laud. His specially Is wooded interiors,
one Of the most difficult features in Nature for
an artist to reproduce with fidelity. large
picture standing upon his easel proves his suc-
cess. Although, like every true artist, he him
self feels that the continuous study Of lifetime.
alone will bring increase Of knowledge and power
In his art for even, perhaps more than in any
other branch Of learning, he who takes Nature
for his teacher finds much to'leGrn. He who is
gifted with genius works undcr au oxactlng and
and darts sunny rays that shall touch tie heart
Of the dullcst clod upon evcry touch Of his pen
ell !; tomorrow, she ID gloomy aud despoudent,
the sun will not shine, tue water Ii leaden-hued.
the brook sulleu. refusing to sing, and the trees
take on q funeral aspect. and are mute and lrre-
sponsive. Fortunately for the truly gifted ones
such moments do not last. Wide, sunny vistas
open again, broad Wnves OF golden light flow in
upon the soul, md. with that hopefu!ncss that
prcordains SUCCESS, the artists work goes mer-
rlly
II Ford's pictures hayo given rise to these re-
marks. it is because taoy all seem to have been
wrought in sunny vein. ovluclnE as they do the
most careful study OF Nature. and revealing With
iutiuita patience the many secrets which sho
holds in her bosom, ready TO open to tho passer-
by, il that snme careless traveller would only
pause and question her. The latter may
not havo the power to repeat them
ever inquired Of her then he will feel grateful
that to others has bean given power Of az
preston that has been denied him.
A large canvas stands on easel, aud one
finds hlmseH st once in the heart Of the woods,
gazing through vista OF trees to clearer space
whore the sunlight is pouring through and ting
ing with light all the feathery foliage. Tree
upon tree stands out distinct and perfect with MI
lineated. The large elm in tho foreground, the
mosses on the rocks, the twining Vir-
ginia creepcr, the first to assume
ior autumn dncry, :. tho wild grape
vine with its long, anaae-llke stems, are Tor the
time no mere creations OF the artists pencil,
but Natures own handiwork. ono seems to
hear tho rustic OF the Leaves, the hum OF INSECT
life, the twitter OF tho olIds' the ripple OF tue
brook, ALI those sounds that speak with such
intensity to one who linda !a1est compan'onahlp
in such summery epots, Whl!o the golden 6un-
shine whispers it's " "Denedlclte."
Another interior Ii uo1e C4osels "ooaeu. the
rocks are moro rugged, tue Whoe view Wilder;
and it brings with il perhaps B. freshcr,
breozicz feeling. 1t speaks Of merry
climbngs, p,cnics in tho woods with
freeh-caught trout cooked in primitive
fashion, and all tho delights Of summer ramblcs
in hily regions. Another view is OIL. Lake Supc-
rior, and il called !" The Fairy Arch :" and, while,
unlike it in all its Details still brings to mind
mind .'Cavo On the Sea Shore" at ut. Des-
crt, on the coast OF Maine. Tho opening at hit.
Desert is larger, and tho rocks continuous, SO
ono looks through tho opening only out upon
the sea. In this Fairy Arch " bold bluff fills
tho foreground, rising to q rugged height above
tho water, In this bluff is the fai1y arcL, through
which one catches glimpse OF the blue
waters OF tho lake, while beyond tho bluff