The Anaconda standard. [volume] (Anaconda, Mont.) 1889-1970, 1896-03-23
WATER COLOR ARTIST
A Clever English-Americsn Woman
Who Has Achieved Success
RHODA HOLMES NICHOLS
A Brief Sketch of Her Career and
Work = Her Varied Experience.
Wide Range Of Subjects and
Breadth of Treatment.


counted the cleverest water colorist in
America. She was born in Coventry.
England, and was the only daughter
of the vicar of Little Hampton, a fash
ionable watering place. Her father a
graduate OF Oxford, was a profound
scholar. During her school days draw
ing and painting were part Of the cur
ncuium; vocal and instrumental music
were not neglected. though now Mrs
Nlcholis feels this a misuse of time
Later, as an accomplishment and
with no thought of a professional life
OF OF bread winning, she studied art in
one OF the schools of Kensington mu-
scum. having passed through the
elementary class withost special dis
tincuon, IL was a surprise TO herself at
tne enc OF several years that she car
f fn on the queens prize, eco per year,
ior three years. To this amount the
queen added e10. a special gift. show
ing nigh approval. After one years
study Mrs. Nichols sacrificed this prize
IN order to go to Rome-attracted bv
Ine orliiiant color of the sunny south.
win Camerano she studied the human
ngure. and with Vertunni, landscapes.
Evenings We're spent at the Circilo Ar
llstico, club of professional artists
Spanish italian, French, German.
american, Dutch. Each criticised his
nelghbor. These cosmopolitan critics.
made an era in Mrs. Nichols art life
Inc pose lasted five evenings. then
places were changed. This was the
most profitable period of Mrs. Nicholls'
study. Two hours work i'm water col
ors necesstated freedom and dash.
quick conception of character and
broad treatment. These characteristics
sun constitute the chief charm of Mrs.
NICHOLS work. and place her in the
front rank of artists. She was sum-
ihoneu before the queen of Italy TO re-
ceive compliments and CONCENTRATIONS
on her attachments.
After three years she went TO South
AFRICA, where her brothers had an os-
trich farm of $4,000 acres. with the
nnest stock i'm the world. The vast
stretches of desert with it's scorched
vegetation, bordered by misty noun
tam hhes' was new revelation to her
European eyes. Her home. a low fiat
roofed, whitewashed affair with arched
ooorways, enclosed court yard, brought
TO mind patriarchal dwellings on the
plains of Palestine. Much of Mrs.
NICHOLS time was spent on horseback
with her brothers, hunting the wild
game OF the desert. The sunlight eff
fects, the mistless reaches of pure at
mosphere were enchanting. She paint
ed everything. AT the end of year she
came away enriched in body, mind and
estate; with vigorous health with a
hne appreciation of the greatness and
intangible beauty of nature and with
a mine of canvasses.
This artist had already been recog-
nized in England. her work having
been hung on the line at the ROYAL
Academy exhibitions. Later Mrs. Mich
oils visited Venice again where she
made the acquaintance of her future
husband. After a years time Mr.. and
Mrs. Nichols were married in England,
and set sail at once for America, in 1884.
On her arrival her talent met with in
slant recognition. Substantial prizes
were won i'm New York Boston and
Chicago-silver and gold medals
The wide reach of her subjects is re-
markable; shining walls of Italy. SHIN |
mering sands of the desert, the Joyous |
water of the lagoon, ostriches. naughty |
kaftirs, gay gondolas. monks nd nuns. |
landscapes. interiors More charming |
than all these motifs are her two chill |
dren. whom she occasionally introduces |
In her pictures. How she catches them |
is mystery, for they are veritable but
terfiies, humimng birds, Wills-o-the |
wisp. The titles of some of her pic- |
lures q noiD are Those Evening Bells. |
color, The Scarlet Letter, Searching |
the Scriptures. The Indian After the |
Chase.
The Churchman considered her a |
painter of religious pictures. Only Sc |
rious subjects attract her: but in |
everything she finds joyous color Mrs.
Nichols is the vice president of the |
New York Water Color club, member OF |
the Womans' Art club of New York and |
also of Canada and of the AquarelIe |
club of Rome
Though not fond of society. she does !
not neglect ton account OF her chill |
dren. She is often seen at late after
noon teas and receptions and is a mem
Der of the Barnard club.
Her house on West Fifteenth street is
the now old-time three-story-and-b base
ment affair. open on every side to sun
shine and fresh air. This home is at I
the same time studio, class room. pic /
ture gallery and museum OF curios. /
Mrs. Nichols pupils. whose name Is le- !
gion, besiege her there till June locks ,
the door and allures her to pastures
green. Where the flock Of students fol-
lows. coming from Maine. California
and intermediate points. Many of them
are teachers, taking a course" Of les
sons. Others study a year or two The f.
first three days of the week are re-
served for her own work, the last three
are given up TO pupils.
Mrs. Nichols is best known by her
flower painting, because Of wide repro
duction. Her pupils bring so many
beautiful flowers. which cannot be re-
sisted, even Sunday mornings Are
sermons to be found in stones, and not
In flowers as we'll? She protests she
will not be held 10 flower painting: nor
will she renounce oil colors. for in that
medium her greatest successes have
been made.
Mrs. Nichols is not an omniverous
reader. The hysterical literature Of the
period does not attract her. After the
lays work is done. and the little ones
safe in the land Of Nod. with body and
mind relaxed.
Unto my books so good 10 turn.
Far ends Of tired DAYS"
The subject of this sketch is exceed
ngly attractive in appeara nce-rather
petite. fine features. a perfect English
and a radiance of counte-
nance. To the charm and beauty OF
youth has been added a grace gained
1nly in very serious work and earnest .
life. Susan NJ Kotchau1