Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1880-12-21

!. Afterneen In Their studliss ana Wa.
We Saw There.


r.lls covered with pictures. They range
Aom the low-priced chrome to the gem Of the
master purchased for a fabulous sum by IN.
millionaire. But every bit Of color on the
valls no matter how cheap and tawdry, tell,
story. Some one is striving after the bean.
6fal. 1t may be only an unconscious prop.
ing in the dark, but it is a hopeful symptom
in this money-getting age to see people cul.
tiyating their ennobling and aesthetic tastes
Here in Augusta the interest in art matters
I i on the increase. Knowing that in civ
Of so much culture as our own there must be
general interest in painting, we have been
st the trouble of preparing an article show.
ing what our amateurs are doing with the
brush and palette.
Last summer Rev. J. H. Ecob spent sew.
eral weeks on Grand Menan at the entrance
of the Bay of Fundy, and now has some
twenty marine studies in his portfolio which
he is working up at intervals of leisure. Mr..
Ecob uses the brush and palette simply for
recreation. giving his friends a large number
of his choicest pictures; but he is a true ar.
tist, and it would take far ADLER pen than
the writer's to do justice to his fine collec-
ton During the past summer he has done
most of his work in the very midst of the
scenes he has described. His pictures thus
have clear, open, airy character and fidel
ity to nature, which the products of the studio
cannot show. One canvass which he is lust
finishing up-'Low Tide at Deep Cove"-is
remarkable sketch. 1t is ebb tide. and
there is long stretch of rocky beach. A
huge boulder, covered with green seaweed.
rises up in the foreground. The beach is
strewn with stones rounded by the attrition
of the water. They are all the colors of the
rainbow, just as they came from the labora-
tory of nature. In the background is dun.
foggy sky, and the white sails of few fishing
boats. Mr.. Ecob has a study of a Winter
Sunset in the Country which will work up
into a remarkable picture. There is a snowy
field, with a farmhouse. Overhead is fam
ing, rich, brilliant winter sky. We are afraid
that some of our young amateurs
err in avoiding color, and chasten their pic
lures too much. Nature is prodigal with her
tints. and nature is safe guide to follow.
Mr.. Ecob, however, is alert to perceive the
medium of effect, but subordinating it to ex-
press the sentiment, as his drawing and mod
cling do the truth and nature. The Just COM
bination of sentiment and truth is what makes
the complete picture, and neither can be
spared. The poetic and sensuous power of
color is shown in a remarkable way in num-
Der of his works. He has sketch of the
State House from distance, made in early
autumn. The grey granite and cupola rise
sombrely above a crown of fre-colored trees
His sketches from still life, of which he has
several, are nicely executed, and give variety
to his collection. Where there are so many
pictures to examine, it is impossible to men
ton but a few. He has cattle piece after
Bonheur and summer wood scene. which
deserve to rank among the very best of his
works
Mrs. L. Il. Pierce's pleasant parlor on
Court street is full of sketches and studies
wrought during the past few months. In our
opinion her masterpiece is n sketch in oil
of the North Conway meadows, done in early
September just as the frost was beginning to
tint the leaves in gold and russell and Grim
son. The picture is one of the best land
scapes that we have ever seen in the city. 1t
is very pretty example of light and per-
spective, and its quiet is relieved by GER
tain indescribable vigor. 1t is not bold, vet
it is full of warmth and tone and color In
the foreground is a stretch Of brown meadow,
through which the Saco winds lazily in and
out, fringed with clumps of alders and elms.
The light strikes the water in places, in vivid
contrast to the shadows which now and then
dot the current. In the background the blue
hills of the Presidential range melt away in
the distance. The picture is one which will
bear study, and one which grows on ones
hands. 1t is the pictorial putting of a scene
(Which greets one like the odors blown
From unseen meacows newly mown,
Or lilies floating in some pond.
Wood-ringed the wav-side gaze beyond;
The traveller owns the grateful sense
Of sweetness rear. he knows not whence,
And, pausing, takes with forehead bare,
The benediction of the air.
This is but one of several excellent pictures.
In marine views her best work is "Point San
Pedro off San Francisco, in pastelle. IL is
a single huge cliff with the surf beating itself
into foam at its base. Here and there gull
futters over the waves. "Deer Rips" on
the Androscoggin above Lewiston. is a sum
mer afternoons picture, executed with con-
siderable attention to details. Among other
meritorious productions in her studio, are
tsMount Washington" from the Crawford
House; one or two views in the 70 Semitic.
copied from Birdstaff; wood interiors, and
bright panel pictures of Gala lilies, butter
cups and white clover. and other flowers
Mrs Pierce is careful, conscientious artist.
in love with her work. and is making rapid
progress in her pictures.
Mr.. c. c. Willoughby has large number
of fine pictures. Until recently he has
worked simply from love of art and de-
sire to perfect himself in oil painting: but his
pictures are already attracting much attention.
and his friends confidently look forward to
the time when he will devote himself entirely
to artistic pursuits. Mr.. Willoughby makes
specially of marine and landscape painting
and does not allow himself to fritter away
time in practice on other subjects. We have
no Young artist among us who is more pains
taking. All his efforts are marked by patient
work. and show a sincere love for nature and
for his art His style is quiet. In his paint
ing of the grey mists and chill fogs OF our
New England shores, he is particularly hap
py. His latest. and, we think, his best
marine sketch. is picture of 'Hockomock
Heights in oil. single cliff towers