Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1884-09-05
Artistic hill Nyc.
He DOES LITTLE sKETcBISG FROM NATL

He DOES LITTLE SKETCBISG FROM NATURE.
1 have just returned from visit to Willow River
Falls, where went for change OF scene and Incl
dentally for the purpose OF bathing a few angle
worms, writes Bill Nye from Hudson, Wis These
falls consist OF beautiful sheet OF water running
perpendiculary to the surface OF the between
two rocky walls, where for centuries Willow river
has taken grand tumble 10 Itself, as Herbert
Spencer has so eloQuently said.
took my Sketchlng material with me and drew
rough but very accurate little etching OF the falls
am p0ssonately fond OF etching, and visa that
ton to drawing. frst learned to draw at a siSty
and ninety days, but now, thanks to assidtous in
dustry and untir1ng perseverance, am able TO
Willow River Falls. looking from this side Scale
100 feet to the inch.
The above view OF the falls as the reader Will see
at once Is from this side No one, more than the
artist, can realize the great difficulty getting an
accurate view Of anything taken from the other
side
ought. perhaps to apologize for few defects in
the minor details OF this picture. am aware that
the trees are somewhat conventional, but you
should remember that this is conventional year,
not only in politics but in art.
Another note OF explanation may be OF use also.
The idea or supporting waterfall by means OF a
SawhorSe Is not frequent in nature, but L have
adopted 1t in several Instances where objects that
have drawn seemed to need some artificial support.
first drew the falls, and then showed the etching
TO warm personal friend, who advised me 10 build
a stone abutment under the corner or the cataract
This could not do without Involving greater eX-
penSe than felt warranted Ia making, so have
Introduced the sawhorse into art. hoping that it
may be OF use to my friends
am aware that IL Is at first blush violation OF
long established rules, but one has to make
the first stride toward reform, AID Ill might as wei
be myself as any one else. So long innoya-
ton or stride in the direction OF improvement
must be made, whether IL he I'm the field OF art or
letters, shall not hesitate or shrink from my plain
duty.
In this case, the beauty and accuracy with which
have Sketched the fall Itself should mitigate the
horrors OF violation OF long established usage.
do not undertake TO conceal the fact that sew
eral OF my friends have severely criticised this
equestrian study of Willow River Fails. ana / do
not wish TO deny that these criticisms have given
me much pain. Still believe that the day viii
speedily come when these scoffers will acknowl-
edge their error and be forced TO admit that was
right.
Some. too, have criticised the manner I'm which
the sheet OF water in the drawing seems
to curl up at the end This. too, is an
unjust and harsh judgment upon the work.
Various water curlS varioualy In falling, and
any etchiSt who will construct cascade with
more graceful and rhythmic ornamental curve TO
il than the above is cordially invited TO do SO.
Whether the Doric, the Ionic. the Gothic or the
Presbyterian style OF architecture I'm waterfalls be
adopted, is simply matter or taste. do not wish
to enter into any discussion. simply give myo
experience for what IL Is worth, and ask that my
work be judged fairly and ilnpartially.