The Salt Lake herald. [volume] (Salt Lake City [Utah]) 1870-1909, 1884-09-21
MR.. CLAWSON'S STUDIO.
Half an Hour among the Creations
of a Utah Artist.

1t has often been said by men of taste
that few communities in the country
have more native talent than our own,
and that there are good grounds for
the statement may be readily shown by
the mere inventory of artists in the sew
eral departments. Our musicians,
painters, and other professional people
have always stood high in the estima-
ton of art lovers, and it is very graf
flying to know that the young men and
women who have studied in the eastern
educational institutions always give
good account of themselves upon their
return to the mountains.
Among the stars of the art armament,
Mr.. Will Clawson now shines and that
he is fairly entitled to recognition must
at once be conceded He has made
portraiture a speciality, and has sue
ceeded admirably in his determination
to master the art of counterfeiting
the human form and feature. Some of his
presentations seem to be stamped with
the hallmark of inspiration, so unmis-
takably is the presence of true genius
manifested. A visit to his studio yes
terday found him busily engaged in Gre
ating a pastelle portrait of an eastern
gentleman, who, during our short stay,
seemed to be gradually developing upon
the surface of the material which the
artist was manipulating with so much
apparent ease. The many colors blend
ing into indescribable tints were seem
ingly thrown at random, yet it was
plainly shown that every touch was the
Outgrowth of that subtle sympathy
which must control the hand and brain
of all who worship with ferYor at the
shrine of beauty.
The studio is graced with two beauti-
ful specimens of pastelle portraits; one
of the earlier works of the artist and
the other more recent production. The
fidelity to nature is apparent, and while
nothing is sacrificed to sheer embellish-
ment, there is nothing lacking in
an art sense to make them things
of beauty. 1t is difficult to CON
ceiye of a more perfect medium for
the expression of the soulful human
countenahce than the material known
as pastelle; kind of colored chalk.
ground extremely fine, and prepared
entirely free from all grit. The artist
knows Immediately what will be the
effect of his work when handling this
fascinating pencil of the gods. The
many class, and other sketches upon
the walls, and in the portfolios of this
young virtuoso, all of which are studies
from nature, show his deep love for the
beautiful, and bespeak his final eleya-
ton to the highest honors. We noticed
some excellent life studies, both in oil,
and crayon. Their treatment from an
artistic and anatomical standpoint is
superb. They represent variously ten,
twelve, and eighteen hour studies
from the nude; the male and female
forms, as represented in select models
are portrayed here by master hand
A beautiful display of water
color sketches of thirty minutes each
are especially interesting, as showing
the versatility of the style of Mr.. Claw
son, who naturally seeks diversion in
the capture of these little butterflies of
art. I1i ua n.,iid
he has returned to remain among us.
and he will be pleased to meet all art
lovers at the studio in the Roberts e.
ELerbeck Block, on First South street.
A pleasant hour can be spent among
the many interesting works of art which
adorn the sanctum sanctorum of this
popular and thoroughly meritorious ar
tst: Mr.. Clawson belongs to Utah, and
while his earlier studies were pursued
under somewhat disadvantageous cir
cumstances, he has recently had the adj
yantages OF the most modern methods,
and the rare opportunity of studying
under men whose standing is unques-
toned, and whose technique is unsur-
passed. AS Tryon would say, Willie
is up TO date" ~,