The Somerset herald. [volume] (Somerset, Pa.) 1870-1936, 1899-12-20
More Praise for Miss Ida Mussslman.

More Praise for Miss Ida Mnsselman.
A celebrated writer has said: There
are two kinds OF artists in the world
those that work because the spirit Is in
them, and they cannot be silent If they
would. and those that speak from a con-
scientious desire To make apparent to
others the beauty that has awakened
their own admiration"
Miss Ida NJ. Musselman, whose artistic
work has been known locally for several
years, belongs to the latter class. Miss
Musselman, modest country
girl, with the true artistic feeling or in
spiration, at an early age set about to
gain recognition in the Metropolis, which
is easily the art centre Of America. That
she has succeeded !. due entirely to he-
own persistent and well-directed efforts,
as well a. the merit of her work, a CON-
plimentary notice of which. appearing in
theNew York Times Review Of the Ans,
was published last week. Now comes
the New York Tribune, Of the 10th inst,
with two half-tone illustrations of Miss
Musselman's work. accompanied by a
portrait of the gifted young artist. The
Tribune says:
A good deal OF interest IS being dis
played in the fungus carvings of Miss
Ida Musselman, of Somerset. Penn'a,
by women who have visited the various
art and women's exchanges in this city.
Miss Musselman took up the work about
three years ago. Previous to that she
had been an artist. working principally
in black and white. OF the subjects
which she has treated In this fungus
carving. and which are best known, are
Paul Revere" Forgotten" "A Group
of Lions in the Jungle" and "Pay TOll.''
The pieces are in large and small size,
aud bring from $S5 to so.
Miss Musselman said to Tribune re-
porter yesterday: The fungus used for
wood carving is found on partially de-
eayed oak and maple trees. Il must be
carefully removed in order 70 preserve
the delicate and creamy surface, which
is easily injured while in a fresh and
moist state. 1t is also necessary TO have
the fungus properly cured and made as
hard and durable as wood before it is
worked upon.
''The selection of a subject requires
careful study. as only certain pictures
lend themselves 10 effective work. A
dark object on a light background would
simply be hole with no relief-an in
tsglio instead Of a cameo. In the fungus
carving the subject must stand out boldly
in relief, and yet have shades Of cOloring.
which are produced by careful manip-
nlation Of the light surface and brown
interior.
'In order to dig out shadows instead
Of holes. delicate handling Of the tools is
required. In arranging my work get
suggestions from several pictures, taking
what think will come out well, and
then form complete picture, changing
the light aud shade 70 suit the material
and working the background in a man
ner 10 best bring out the subject. As a
false move is fatal, must have a definite
knowledge of the effect / wish To obtain
before l begin 10 work. The peculiar
shape OF the fungus must also be studied
and the objects grouped accordingly.
Knots may sometimes be utilized in
carving trees. One acquires only by ex
perienoe the knaek which gives character
to the work"
The following tribute to Miss Mussel-
man is found in The Literary Digest, Of
December ID:
A very interesting new development
in wood carving has recently attracted
notice in New York. II consists in relief
WORK upon a species Of fungi which
grows upon oak and maple trees. Great
care has TO be exercised in removing and
drying the fungi so As 70 preserve the
delicate white surface; and the light aud
shades Of the bas-relIef are attained by a
careful manipulation of the surface and
Of the dark interior. The process re-
quires great persistence and skill, but
when successful presents a species OF art
effect which Is wholly new and unique.
Some very exquisite specimens OF carved
fungi. ranging in size from four inches to
two feet in diameter, comprising some
surprisingly perfect forest scenes, war
groups, and other genre effects worked
out in black and white. are on exhibition
at tho various art exchanges in New
York and BretaDo's- The inventor and
developer Of the process is Miss /. ".
of Somerset. Pa, an artist
who received much Of her technical
training in the art schools Of Pittsburg
and Philadelphia