The morning call. [volume] (San Francisco [Calif.]) 1878-1895, 1892-07-20

L
that he will get the chance. The result is to
be submitted TO the inspection of the ma
tions OF the earth at the Worlds Fair.
Comparisons are proverbialiy Odious. San
Francisco is fun Of artists, and there are
not few OF them who, like Keith, despise
the petty trickeries and jealouses and
mutual admiration societies, and paid puffs
Of the schools; and. like old Michael Angelo
in the Coliseum, go to Dame Natures school
to learn how 10 draw. Hiliard, the visitor
to California, Is man of this kind lie
knows something already, but admits that
when he has left Yosemite he expects to
know more.
Mr.. Hllliard spoke with almost boyish
frankness to a CALL reporter yester-
day. just by way of parenthesis and
In case there be any who have not
heard OF him. 1t may be stated that Mr..
billiard was born In Auburn, n. Y. ia
1886. tie is Ii little past the bloom of youth,
but he Is n man who could lead an average
youth OF % firing walk over a rocky road.
Nlthal he has the savoir faire Of a man OF the
world, and IS gentleman. in the true, not
conventional sense. For the rest Mr.. Hill
lard has comfortable quarters at the Palace
Hotel and Will be found there when he re-
turns SIX weeks hence.
Il have nothing to say OF my meth DDS"
remarked the artist yesterday, more than
this. When l paint nature ] go TO nature
and stay with her. Now this painting is To
be painting from nature, nothing less. |
nave lived In Paris off and on for % years,
but whatever pictures l have pal nted
have all been executed from start 10
finish In the open air. When it is too cold
to paint IN Paris go south to Algeria or
Egypt and paint desert scenes or bits from
the marketDlaceS, always working in the
open air. Most artists make studies and
sketches, and then work them up in their
studios. do not condemn their method,
but IN erely state my own. This canvas, s
feet by II, on which L shall work in
the Yosemite Valley for the next six weeks,
Will be completed on the spot. L shall not
touch Ii afteTward."
Mr. billiard said he had q number OF
paintings OF Yosemite, but that it would be
unfair and unprOl essional 10 criticiZs them.
lie spoke IN general way TO the effect nat
those pictures were the best in which the
least work had bee done in the stadi aud
the most on the spot. He exhibited a num-
Der OF photographs from pictures painted
by him on this principle Of going to nature
aud staying with her. in evidence of the
fidelity attained by faithful service in
this, the highest of all schools. Although
Dir. billiard IS pupil of Eugene Ciceri and
Francois Francois, two Partisan masters of
eminence In landscape art. he evidently
sets little value on anything but inspira-
ton. His work Is broad, massive and free
from trickery or triflng. AS in the case OF
Turner, whose classical pictures are always
bad. as his landscapes from nature are al
ways good, be has fine eye for values and
composition.
Mr.. billiard has Just returned from Santa
Cruz, where he has been painting picture
of this picturesque coast-point for exhibit
ton al the Worlds Fair. While on a visit
at Los Angeles he had the misfortune to lose
his talented and admirable wife. the faith
full companion and historian of his wander
ings In Algiers, Holland and Egypt, a lady
whose descriptions Of her gTanduncle, John
Howard Payne, and his home-sweet-home
! resting-place on the Mediterranean's shores
are weli-nigh 80 famous as the song itself.
Il like the Callfornians,' said MIR. Hill
lizard with an obvious sincerity that was in
agreeable contrast TO the forced compliment
of the professional traveller on a free pass
who has come to say one thing here and an
other when he returns to his Eastern
| friends. Il like the country and the
people," he went on. Everything is big,
broad. massive. The people are free. vigor-
Gus, open, liberal minded. like Caiifor-
mia better than any country have SEEN"
Mr. billiard Is vigorous kind OF man.
| He Is brimmlng over with vim. 4 have
| been doing nothing for two days." he said.
| land i cannot stand it any longer. L have
| got all my colers, canvas. etc. ordered here,
| and Tomorrow L am going to work.
III Yosemite is ever to be painted Hillard
is the kind OF man 10 do it.
He has had an apprenticeship that will fit
| him Tor the work. lie ran away from home
10 sea because his bOyish ambition to be an
artist was frowned on by his parents.
| wren Hc Sdtbc odch years alIerNarQ they
let him have his way. He comes Of the
right stock-a sturdy English father, and a
| mother who was one Of the knickerba ckers
| lie is born American. and if an American
| artist, full OF inspiration, who has passed 80
| years in Europe and remained an American
! at heart, native aud 10 the manner born, -
| with prodigal endowment of talent and
soul In sympathy with nature, cannot
| paint the crags of the Yosemite, the task
must be given up by others in despair.