The Stark County Democrat. [volume] (Canton, Ohio) 1833-1912, 1896-03-19
THE BUCKEYE ARTIST.
A GRAPHIC DESCRIPTION OF
MARION FOSTER BY A CAN
TON LADY.
She Painted an Elegant Portrait of
President C1eveIand-She Was a
Great Favorite With Ohio Senators.

She Painted an Elegant Portrait of
President CIeveIaud-She Was
Great Favorite With Ohio Senators.
So little has been said in local papers
concerning an American celebrity, born
within Stark county, in the village Of
Minerva, that one almost believes in the
old adige: "A prophet is not without
honor In his own country" A little
bent invalid woman, who was born rich
and with talents for music and painting,
but with the loss of her father, her
wealth, health and strength, the marvel
Gus strength of character and resolution
| of purpose which raises on individuals to
be the superior of others, asserted itself
ana ere many years the United States
resounded with the name of great, little
courageous woman, Marion Foster
Few careers of any note have laid in
harder lines than those of this famous
Ohio artist. In order to secure money
for instructions, she learned to trim hats,
by which means she accumulated $50.
| She started for Cincinnati with her pen
ellis, brushes and paints, as her only stock
in trade, to begin the life of an artist.
There she studied laboriously for year
under pupil of Gerome.
Before the year rolled around she was
making portraits of the best people in
the city, but from working hard her
spinal trouble increased, and she went to
New York for treatment, just at the
moment when she had become able to
walk by pushing a chair, along in front
of her another accident befell her, and
she lost all use of her limbs, so that she
was never able to walk afterward. Yet
she painted pictures which hang in some
of the finest Of private galleries.
At all times she had the entree TO the
most exclusive society of this country.
The most eminent political men in
Washington, with their families, were
her friends. The Ohio statesmen were
| particularly proud Of her. The Sher-
mans, McKinleys and Brices claimed her
as "The Buckeye Artist"
Miss Fosters talent was best displayed
as portrait painter. Her portrait of
President Cleveland, made during his
| first term, is considerd one of the best
ever made of him. 1t Is three quarters
length, life size, and hangs in the Cleve-
land home at Holland Patten. Ex-Presi-
dent Garfield was also patron of Miss
Fosters art, and a picture painted by the
little artist, of the martyred president, to-
|
artist, is now in the possession of ex-
Governor Mckinley. During visit In
New York City, Major and Mrs. McKin-
ley often invited friends to their informal
/ lucheons to meet the artist
In 1884 Brignoli gave Miss Foster an
order to make a portrait of himself to
present to Nine. Patti on the twenty-fifth
anniversary Of her debut. Brlgnoli died,
however, before the presentation was
made A warm friendship resulted be-
tween the two artists so dissimilar in
J their particular professions A portrait
of Brice hangs In the old Corcoran home,
where the Brices live, executed by her
skillful hand.
She also painted life-size portraits of
the California millionaires, Flood,
Crooker, and Fair.
The ending Of her bright and hopeful
career was a sad shock to her large circle
of friends, end the tiny casket that held
all that was mortal Of the ambitious
little lady was covered with beautiful
floral offerings from prominent people
throughout the country.
Miss Foster was without any near rela,
tive, but her loss has been keenly felt
with all
The grand and triumphant success of a
genius so encumbered should be an in,
spiratlon to Others struggling for public
recognition in their own particular pro
fession Dorothy Lathrop.