Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1902-11-15
A RI N O TIES.

The annual meeting OF the Society OF
Washington Artists was held on Tuesday
evening of this week. Eighteen members
were present and the following officers
were elected for the coming year: Richard
N. Brooke, president; Mrs. Barney. vice
president; H. Hobart Nichols, secretary,
and Robert Coleman Child, treasurer, with
Edwin l.. Morse, James Henry Moser, Ma
thilde Mueden, Carl Weller and Lucien
Powell composing the executive commit
tee. The substitution of the name of Mr..
Powell for that of Mr. Chiffon was the
only change made in the committee. The
outlook for the coming season was dis
cussed, and a suggestion to hold the annual
exhibition in February, instead of March,
was favorably considered.
Two weeks from Monday the Washington
Water Color Club will open its seventh
nual exhibition to the public in the hemi-
cycle of the Corcoran Gallery. The trus-
tees of the gallery have signified their
willingness to give again two prizes, of 500
and $50, respectively, to the painters of the
best two pictures shown at the exhibition,
and Mr.. A. j. Parsons. a member of the
board and the director of the print divls on
of the Library of Congress, has offered
prize Oh SJt LOT the DtSI landscape. painted
in water coiors, by a Washington artist.
Such substantial cooperation is of the most
helpful and stimulating character, and
bound to have potent influence for good.
All the prospects for the approac ching ex-
hibtion, indeed are most promising. In
the local studios there is, this fall. an I'M
usual amount of available material, which
should prove attractive to both layman and
artist, and 1t is believed that able out-of-
town painters will be also well represented.
Miss Marguerite Downing is making a
couple of poster portraits which are ex-
ceedingly interesting One is of a little lass
with long light hair; the other is of a
young girl wearing a shocked work-apron
They are done in crayon, then co,ored in
broad fiat ttnts. and lastly outlined in India
ink. The backgrounds are pictorial and
sometimes symbolical. In character and
style thew are bold. simple direct and strik-
ing. and show evident understanding of The
elements Of decorative design, as we'll as a
keen appreciation of color harmonies. so
That 1t is not strange that, since Miss
DoWning'S first poster portraits were dis
PLAYED at the Water Color Clubs exhibition
last fall she has been commissioned to ex-
ecute no less than forty of these unique
profile likenesses which, by the way are.
though very dissimilar, trife reminiscent
of the work of Chretion and ST. Memin
Among Miss Downing's latest finished work
Is a picture of young girl with violin,
winch is remarkably artistic and decOra-
tive. In this the artist has skillfuly in
PRODUCED. as a part of the design, a bush
of azaleas and two tall, graceful callas,
whereas. In another. simpler though no less
attractive. composition, she has used Eas-
ter lilies in the scheme of the background.
In addition to these Miss Downing made
last summer a full-length sketch in color
of Mr. Whittlesey in his Romeo costume of
red and in the way of more serious, stud
led work. is now painting a portrait in oi,s
OF a western man. in the picturesque
ranchman's dress.
Miss Emma Humphreys who for the past
two years has been in charge of the design
class of the Art Students League has a
studio in New York this winter, and is
spending all of her time on individual work
A number of knowing manufacturers have
lately captured a quantity of her charming
designs, among which is the one of sea
gulls which was exhibited here last season.
This is being utilized, most appropriately,
for the frieze in prominent yacht clubs
living room.
Miss Sallie T Humphreys. her sister who
Is a designer of no less originality and skill,
has taken her place at the league, where
she is conducting both morning and even
ing classes. At present these classes are
being held in an upper room in the Art
League building. but they are to be trans
ferred to the old quarters soon. and hope
to form the nucleus of the much-desired
arts and crafts school, which is promised
for the near future. Miss Humphreys ner-
self has recently made some interesting
wall paper designs, among which a thor
oughly conventional pattern with the pea
cock feather as it's only element is specially
graceful and decorative.
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Miss Mary X. Porter has brought back
with her, from a summer in New England
e. collection of water colors far exceeding in
merit the average productions. Some of
them picture the rocks and sand dunes of
the shore. others the salt meadows and in
land scenes; one gives a glimpse of wood
interior and another a view of the low
gray fish houses huddled together down by
the sea. There are dull days and bright
days, but. regardless of theme, each is fresh
and vigorous swept in, apparently, with
broad sure stroke, signifying past study and