Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1903-03-14
ART NOTES

The annual meeting Of the Water Color
Club was held last Saturday evening in the
Art League building. Mr.. William H.
Holmes was elected president, Miss Bertha
e. Perrie vice president, Miss Grace E. At
water secretary and Mr.. Carl Weller treas
urer, all Of whom had served in the same
capacities the preceding year. Several new
members were nominated, and an excellent
report, showing the finances OF the club in
a satisfactory condition, was read by the
treasurer. At the close of the business
meeting a well-chosen musical program was
rendered. followed by general merrymak-
ing, In which all entered with that sym
pathetic understanding and hearty good
will which always characterizes artists
revels.
The league design class, which is larger
this year than last, is turning out some ex-
cellent work. Recently its members have
been making designs for figured silks, many
Of which show not only rhythmical lines and
harmonious colors, but also considerable
originality. A certain simplicity and re-
f1nement marks all the work done in this
class. The designs are accurately executed
and are thoroughly artistic. There are no
daring contrasts used. which by holiness
bid for attention, but rather is the true
spirit OF decorative art demonstrated by I'M
obtrusive symmetry. The silhouette work
is also most interesting, and on the walls
Of the school room are some excellent ex-
amples OF the graceful studies which the
pupils have made from nature in the method
borrowed from Japan. There is, moreover.
in this collection three letters Of a pictorial
alphabet, designed and drawn by Miss
Ruth Clements, one of the students. Elfs,
urchinS and sedate lassies from other lands
are seen frolicing about sober O's and RS
tn, yvo11 cd 70 n joht I<,t1, yIa
young folks and their elders.
OF all the local artists none has probably
accomplished as much work. as much good
work, this winter as Mr.. Hobart Nichols,
who gives the best seven hours Of each day
to the making of scientific drawings in the
division of Illustration OF the geological sur
vey. This means that his painting has had
to be done in the short daylight hours after
o'clock and on holidays, yet, with the ex-
ception OF the Pennsylvania Academy, he
has been represented in all the important
ANIMALS this winter. At present he has
three interesting pictures on hand, one Of
which. water color, will probably find its
way into the Philadelphia Art Clubs ap-
preaching exhibition. This Is a bit of the
Maine coast, showing the rocky promon-
tories jutting into the sea, and the stalwart
pines which surmount them. To the left Is
wood and the strong outline of the broken
coast: to the right the sea sweeps in with
a swirling curve, and away of in the dis
lance sky and water meet in misty indis-
tinctness. 1t Is truly twilight; for. though
the moon has risen high enough to
cast reflection on the waves, the last
tints Of the setting sun still Hnger in the
mantling clouds along the horizon. The
other paintings are done in oils. One is a
luminous. golden sunset, seen over and re-
fected on the calm waters Of river or
harbor: the other Is q more pretentious
though not less pleasing, canvas, picturing
the interior Of a northern birch wood: and
all three, while strong, admirable paintings,
testify to the artists special ability in his
choice of subjects, for, without sacrificing
anything to that hateful quality known as
Commercial prettiness," Mr.. Nichols Sc
lects for Interpretation that which in itself
is both beautiful and interesting.