Los Angeles herald., 1907-03-17
FLOWER ARTIST
IS COMPOSER
ANO A POET
Visitor Delighted by
Gardens
Paul de Longpre Tells story Of the
Picture He Wanted to Keep,
but a Tourist Took
Away
nY u. y. wEsTaATB


which the gifted artists brush has fur
hished to the world, when she happened
70 come face to face with the king of
Mower painters in the garden,
fnRocognizing him, although she had
never been introduced to the artist, the
woman offered her hand and asked if
she was not addressing the owner Of
the grounds.
= What other artists who have become
world famous would have done in the
circumstances has nothing to do with
this story, but what Paul de Longpre
did is interesting to relate
4"Yes, madam, I am De Longpre. I
am glad to know you. Perhaps you
would enjoy seeing some of the flowers"
And with that he pointed out many
Specimens of more than ordinary
beauty, cutting off fragrant rose here
or passion flower there until the
'woman's arms were loaded with bios
SONS.
The woman left the grounds unde-
scided whether the artists pictures or
thoroughly democratic manner of re-
ceiving visitors had impressed her the
most
But the combination, that of viewing
the work of the worlds greatest flower
painter and being received in such a
simple and yet such a natural and in
formal manner made an impression
which she will probably carry with her
from Hollywood and the cozy spot that
Paul de Longpre calls home.
Painting the Passion Flower
Just now the great artist is pro-
ducing STUDY of the Passion Flower"
q picture which, when finished, will be
among his best efforts, even though
each picture which comes from his
Brush appeals to some one more than
the others, and all are of unquesttoned
merit.
s"The Passion flower" said M. de Long
pre-, 'is really a wonderful flower, and
yet, as far as I know, few if any artists
have made a study of it to the extent
of putting it on casvas. I am cer-
tain, however, that when I have
finished the picture more attention will
be given to it than anything have pro-
sduced in years"
- Leading the way to where the un-
finished picture was reposing on an
easel, the artist pointed out the beau
ties of the flower which have already
been embodied in the picture and one
glance at other finished products of his
brush was sufficient proof that the
STUDY of the Passion Flower" will be
as near perfection within a few days as
is possible for a flower painter to pro-
duce
Another picture, just finished, is a
Study in White Cosmos" The beau
ytiful flowers are portrayed as natural
Ras though they were growing in the
artists garden, from which spot, Of
course. the original blossoms were
selected.
When Work Is Play
9 Shasta daisies as large as saucers
are reproduced in another wonderful
picture. Then there is Water Lilies
HaliOtrnna in
This is among the best of recent pic
Itures, although one might easily spend
shours admiring Cherokee Roses 4"
"Gold of Ophir," "Scabiosa" and other
pictures which week after week and
month after month come from De
Longpre's brush.
Sometimes said the artist, "I paint
picture for myself That is, 1 take
special pains with a bunch of flowers
and make up my mind that j tourist
or Los Angeles citizen shall lave the
picture when finished, at al price. But
so far have been uns, cessful in
keeping them. This, of course, is a
pretty compliment on the part of those
who love art, but just the same 1 dis
like to part with pictures into which I
have thrown my whole soul.
mot long ago I gathered a bunch Of
violets. They were so pretty and dainty
that 1 decided to reproduce them for
myself. Taking up my brush started
ITO work, or rather to play, for it is
simply play for me to paint my favorite
flowers.
"And do you know it seemed as if
I couldn't even stop to go to dinner
until had finished. When THE Bunch
of Violets" was framed I carried the
picture to my room and put It away.
mo one Shall have it, 1 said to myself
Il win keep it always. But didn't.
Ss within week a gentleman called
and asked especially to see a picture Of
violets, his favorite flower Without
thinking, l brough forth the one | had
just finished for myself, and he imme-
diately asked what 1t was worth.
" oh, it's not for SALE l told him.
" Not for sale? he asked. Why T
supposed you would sell any of your
pictures if the price was satisfactory.
AT least that IS what that sign over
there says
"And as he spoke I glanced toward
the slip of cardboard and wished with
all my heart that it had not caught his
seye.
IN Is Also a Composer
te "Well If you like it and will pay the
price will sell it, but really 1 prefer
ito keep it.
"'And the price?' he asked.
Five hundred dollars
III take II, was all he said, and
The Bunch of Violets' changed hands
sthen and there"
y But II Paul de Longpre loves to paint
flowers he also loves music, and l had
not been talking to him fifteen min
utes before / discovered that he holds
flowers and music on almost equa
terms.
Compositions Of the Hollywood artist
by the way, have been OF more thar
passing merit. In recent issue of the
Musical Courier, in speaking of several
compositions OF Mr.. dc Longpre, a
special writer says
3 '"rhese compositions show the cele-
brated painter OF flowers has taken a
long step forward IN his newly chosen
career as a poet and composer OF music
They have character, individuality
sentiment. patriotic impulse and ex-
preston"
Boiler Makers Locked Out
CHICAGO. March 16.-stri1ing boiler
makers In South Chicago We're practi.