The San Francisco call., 1904-10-13

OAKLAND, Oct. 12.-Few patrons
of Ye Liberty Theater know that the
artist, Miss Grace Wishaar, who de-
signs the mimic world in which the
players nightly live their storied lives,
is the only woman scene painter in the
world. More than that, she is young,
very young, to have attained such dis
tinction. Preconceived notions of
what the only one of her kind in the
world should be Immediately go glim-
mering before the gentle charm of this
frail little woman.
Brown of eye and of hair, and sug-
gesting less than medium height, Miss
Wishaar presents a dainty femininity
at variance with her occupation, which
has hitherto been considered essentially
masculine.
Although a native of New York Miss
Wishaar considers herself really
California girl as she came to this
State when very young, and it was
here that she received the impetus
that has at last placed her in
unique position in the art world. She
began her studies in the San Jose Art
School and completed them in the
New York studio of William NJ. Chase,
the noted instructor.
Lee Lash, whose name is a familiar
one TO every Californian artist, was,
at the time of Miss Wishaar's attend
ance there, her instructor in the San
Jose Art School. He is now in charge
OF several scenic studios in New York
and when his former pupil made up
her mind to invade territory hitherto
sacred to man, she naturally expected
and sought Engagement from her
"a IN N he Ia no
OF the street, he coolly turned her
down" He said that scene painting
was no work for a woman; that her
sex would make her unwelcome among
the Workmen, and that women were
too ''finicky" for work that demands
broad effects.
That settled it, so far as Lee Lash
was concerned. Not discouraged
in the least by her rebuff, however,
Miss Wishaar went to d. Frank Dodge
of the Herald Square Theater. He
gave her a chance, though with little
faith in the experiment. Her success
was immediate and she remained with
Mr.. Dodge for several years. She also
assisted in painting the scenery of
many of ProctOr's famous productions.
Peculiarly, Miss Wishaars talent
sweeps over a wide range. Not only
is she an adept with the broad brush
and tricky "distemper" of the scene
painter, but she is even more skillful
with the tiny 'camel's hair and oil of
the miniature artist. Her display of
miniatures at the last Starr King art
exhibit attracted much attention.
When seen to-day Miss Wishaars
slender, girlish figure was enveloped in
big blue apron profusely adorned
with smudges of paint, and as she
talked she continued to LAY in," with
sure hand, a Venetian setting for
"Frou Frou," next weeks play.
Yes she said to answer to a ques-
ton, Il love my work. 1t is progress
sive, there is room for originality, and
results are quick" Then, as a stroke
OF brown paint here and there brought
pale spires into bold relief against the
brilliant blue of an Italian sky, she
continued:
] do wish you would say something about the
medium / use. People, generally think that
scenery is painted with a whitewash brush
and that some kind of a wash is used. But
the distemper with which ! work is an Opaque
plays sad tricks sometimes on those unfamiliar
with its vsgaries The first trick It played
me was with a garden drop. ! fairly reveled
in the delicious greens that paled and deep
ened under my brush, but when IL dried! I
wish you could have seen IT.
The artist laughed heartily over her
remembrance of the dull picture into
which her work had faded.
Miss Wishaar considers figure paint
ing her forte, and judging from the
evidence she has given Oaklanders,
she is right. The tapestried walls OF
the throne room and boudoir in the
exquisite setting given the Hamlet
production last week were unusually
beautiful. the cupid frieze of the one
and the portrait panels of the other
betraying the real artists skill The
scenery for Hamlet" was painted in
just eight days, splendid feat when
all is known.
To complete the versatility of this
remarkable young woman, she is an
excellent musician and a clever chess
player. When her eyes grow weary of
color and the brush becomes a heavy
weight she turns to chess for recrea-