The Scranton tribune. [volume] (Scranton, Pa.) 1891-1910, 1896-05-14
CHINA PAINTING IN SCRANTON.

were scarcely six mineral painters in
this city, or even in Lackawanna cOun-
ty. Nothing In the way of the refining
influence of delicate art has so seized
upon the fancies of many women Of
leisure, and, indeed, Of those who never
had any of that elegant commodity In
their whole busy lives, as has the faS-
cination of china decoration.
No doubt some of us have spoiled an
appalling quantity Of very nice white
china in striving to reach a more or
less exalted ideal. Doubtless, too, as
We have progressed IN art, we have
been devoured by the desire to pay q
surruptitous visit to the china closets
of many of our friends and proceed to
smash the gifts which we so proudly
bestowed upon those defenseless VIC
tins at the opening of our artistic ca
reer.
Not few of US can recall certain
miraculous designs. the likeness of
which never was on sea nor land, but
which we once fondly believed to be
lovely sprays Of for-get-me-nots, or
wild roses. We can recall the thick
greens, the startling yellows and the
brick like reds.
1t is pity that we did not break
those dishes in their pristine beauty.
They are always the pieces which our
friends display, with the loudest fiuorish
of trumpets, to the connoisseur in art.
1t is always those trophies of our early
aspirations that are Daraded forth on
special occasions, and how many times
have we hesitated to. eat from these
treasures, when entertained at our
friends board, lest we should reveal the
strange and unhealthy apparittons
which underlay the viands.
Six years have greatly changed the
methods used in amateur china deco
rating, particularly in this region. Thin
washes, soft, silvery greens. transpar-
ent pinks, and delicate shading have
taken the place Of the crude coloring
so much seen at that time. 1t Is seldom
that really atrocious work is now dis
played. There are enough competent
instructors to be secured in this vicinity
to preclude glaring faults. The vulgar.
heavy and carelessly applied gold bord-
ers, stippled on, are a thing of the past.
Instead are seen dainty, graceful trac-
cry in raised gold. and as frame work of
vignettes. Wonderful landscapes and
wide-spreading designs have given
place to fine sprays Of flower with faint
ly shadowed back grounds, subduing
the gleam of the white china.
The value of soft, melting delft, with
its simplicity of landscape and sheen of
water. is coming to be appreciated by
those who have hitherto neglected
monochrome work, and the rich tints Of
roses, attained only by repeated firings,
as we'll as the rare daintiness Of empire
festoons and garlands, are a long way
in advance of the startling productions
seen but a few years ago.
TO,THE INEXPERIENCED.
Do not say you can not learn to paint
nj, q n "a a I'M nj psts In,
the world. Given a little taste, q light
hand and perseverance, any woman un-
der the age of so can learn to do really
pretty work, II her eyes are fairly good.
1t is the study Of natural flowers and
continual practice In imitation that will
produce fine color effects, and the con-
stant effort to draw graceful curves
that will give success in gold designs Of
scrolls Lessons at the start are indis-
pensable, but after the cOlors and their
change with firing are understood, pa
tience and perseverance will give beau
tiful results even II the learner paints
unaided by teacher.
SOME SCRANTON ARTISTS.
Miss Cornelia Weitzel was a pioneer
in China painting in Scranton. She
was particularly noted for her artistic
designing and through her gentle in
HueICc HtT pupliS ana IrlenuS SdlNeu
much experience in the art.
Mrs. Thomas Dale has long painted
In minerals and had the first kiln set
up In this city. Her beautiful work Is
too well known to need mention here,
as Is also that Of her daughter, Miss
Ruth.
We owe to wilkes-B Barre the incen-
tiveto perhaps the most advanced china
decorations. for it Is due to Miss Esther
Kline, Of that city, that such a very
large number of amateurs have achieved
more or less proficiency. She has deft-
ness of touch, a rare artistic sense and
rapidity in effects, which, added to
markable gifts as teacher, have made
her very poular in class work. She has
studied under some of the best ceramic
artists of the day, among them Bischoff,
famed for his transparency Of colOring
and shadow results.
Among many who have been under
Miss Kline's direction are Mrs. John r.
Porter and Miss Sophie Schlager, both
of whom do exquisite work; Mrs. Will
liam Marble, Mrs. c. c. Rose, Mrs. w.
l.. Connell, Mrs. T. +. Penman, Mrs.
Shopland, Mrs. Max Rice, Mrs. Win
gard, Mrs. T. H. Watkins. Mrs. A. ].
Connell, whose china decorations have
attracted much attention: Mrs. Sturde-
want, Mrs. f. II. Conneli, Mrs. Arthur
rockingham, Mrs. II. H. Coston, Mrs.
c. w. Fulton, Miss Mary Manness, Mrs
John Broadbent, Miss Moses, Mrs. w.
r. McClave, Mrs. A. II. Gould.
One OF our most talented townswo-
men, Mrs. j. A. Scranton has done some
Of the finest work seen In Scranton, and