The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1900-12-09
THE ARTISTS OF INDIANA
SOME INTERESTING FACTS CLEANED
FROM MIR. H. b. GRUELLE.
Work and Opportunities of the In
diana Group Of Pafnters-In-
diana Scenery.

reporter on the opportunities which H.
diana affords to the artist, said: 'I have
not painted extensively through the State,
but from the experience of others 1 can
say that it does not lack in opportunities.
They can be found almost anywhere. From
my point of view the beautiful can be dis
covered in anything. 1t is the peculiar de-
velopment of the artist which brings it
out. / have always found beauty and en-
vironment in all the surroundings of ma
ture. / painted in and around this city
for eight years. Then, being called away.
1 went to Washington city, which place
offered great opportunities. 1t is indeed q
charming and beautiful place to work. The
hills are simply sublime. But for the last
four years 1 have been painting along the
north shore of Massachusetts,, working in
and about Gloucester.
II may say, however, that in this
State we have parts that will rank
with the scenery anywhere. Take the
southern part of the State, along
the Whitewater valley, n down the river
about Madison. 1 could name a number
OF places where Forsyth, Steele, Adams
and, this season, Stark went where the
surroundings are wonderful. All over IN
diana, in every direction, these beautiful
and picturesque places can be found. But
they do not reach the elements of the sub
lime, nor do they attain to the higher order
Of beauty. Owing to the lack of variety
it is only under peculiar effects that they
can be brought out. There is not the
variety OF foliage and underground here
that there is in some places. But the river
ctn m ~
can be found. With that hazy, dreamy
atmosphere hanging over them, they
awaken the soul OF the artist to q true in
spiration."
ART OF PAINTING.
Should a painter endeayor to repro-
duce nature as it exactly is or should ne
put In a touch Of color and attractiveness
which 1t does not possess?" asked the re-
porter.
The true artist Is now arranging, com.
bining and reaching into his own original
ity. If he sees a bit of nature here and
a bit there and can combine these and
rearrange them into more suitable proper
tons it IS his place to do so. The OLD
school Of artists who believed that a
landscape should be painted out of doors
and nature should be followed exactly, are
changing their work into a higher and
more ideal class. There is more atten-
ton being paid now to rearranging and
putting more of the painter himself into
the work. This is a strong point to be
noted in the entire group of Indiana paint
ers this season. The artist in this line of
painting will add something of the en-
vironment; in fact, he will do this in
stinctively. Now for an example,. To the
ordinary observer a tree in the summer
time is green, but to a painter there are
many colors that are so closely blended
and harmonic so smoothly that the un-
trained eye does not perceive them. There
is a unity in all things of nature which if
the artist justly renders in his picture
will always appeal TO the general pub
lie. The attainment of all is In the indi-
vidual strength Of the artist, where he
puts his own feeling into the work. Land
scape painting in the last seventy-fiye
years has not reached its highest attain
n:ents only in a few rare exceptions.
These exceptions are with certain old
Dutch painters and possibly with Turner
As to how America would rank in the arr
world, Mr.. Gruelle said: There is no
question that the day is coming when
America will lead the world in art. The
future looks bright to all classes of ar
lists. The opportunities for the figure
painter are better in America than any
where else, although the training is not
so thorough. This is due largely to the
fact that most painters desire the name
of a foreign education, and assume q for
eign style of work instead of putting more
of the individual expression into the pic
%~.1 " Co.
the United States is unsurpassed When
ever the artist is equipped with the power
to express himself and has the distinct
individuality that is required, and this he
embodies into his work, there is sure to
be an expression in his picture tha will
be permanent"
LOCAL APPRECIATION.
docs Indianapolis as a city show as
| much appreciation for its artists as it
should?" asked the reporter.
Perhaps no city in the United States can
show a more original and sincere class of
artists than Indianapolis and those COM
monty known as the Indiana group. This is
remarkable from the fact that there is not
a single collector of pictures in the city.
This result has come from the sincere de-
votion Of these men TO the study Of nature
about them. And while Indiana has in
some instances made its impression upon
the entire world through certain literary
men and women, it will only be in the
course of time that her painters will
achieve just as firm a place in the world
Of art. What the Indiana artist needs Is
sincere encouragement. He needs to feel
that he has a public interest and enthu-
siasm back of him. With this. and the op-
%portunity to work and live there is no
question as to his future.
If our art-loving people would turn from
mere sentiment to sincere effort and es-
tablish our museum, making that a center
around which all the art interest of the
State and city would gather then with the
product of our artists, the object OF having
a standing as a city In the aesthetic side
OF life would be attained. There is nothing
that would do more toward encouraging
a higher and purer life in the community"
"Our newspapers" Mr.. Gruelle continued,
shave always been generous toward us:
and the middle class Of society is the most
appreciative. But things are looking bright
err now. And fortunately for the artist he
has a world of his own, ana out of 1t he
can always extract happiness for himself. .
PLENTY OF OPPORTUNITY.