The Birmingham age-herald., 1908-12-06

At the recent art exhibition the work of Mrs. John W. Luke was universally admired. She is one of the most un- usual art students in Birmingham. Aft CT less than two years of serious work she has produced number of exceed ingly creditable water color portraits and some excellent studies of still life in oils. Her work displayed at the State Fair will be remembered as among the most popular with the critics. Among the paintings were sev eral fruit studies executed with a finish and evidence of skill remarkable for one who has studied for So brief space. In the group was study Of a young woman gowned for riding, and with her crop in her hand In this there was the touch of the true artist. It was one of the most charming bits of work exhibited. There were a num- Der of others in water eolors and oiis as well that evidenced both talent and conscientious effort. One. portrait study of little Celia Root was especially praiseworthy.
 The recent exhibition of the Birming- ham Art association was full of beau- tiful things but among the array of exquisite examples of local talent none received more spontaneous praise from the visitors than did Mrs. Lukes work. The large canvas on which she had depicted a tall spray of cotton was most striking and captivated the eye of every visitor. It was probably the largest oil painting, being 32x34 inches, and was treated with a depth of ar tistie sympathy that showed the paint CTS delight in the contrast of color and light. Expressions of surprise were heard at the seemingly abnormal size of the branch of cotton, and it is interesting to know that the model from which the painting was made was procured at the Grasselli experimental farm near Bessemer. where an effort is made to produce the largest and most luxuriant types of the plant. This spray, before. the stems were clipped stood over six feet tall. The picture is extremely decorative.
 Another lovely bit of work at the ex- hibition that bore the name of Katherine Logan Luke was a head done in water colors, for which Mrs. Paulding of Wis consin posed during a visit in the city. It Is remarkably strong and characteris- tic for water color. The character of work, however. in which Mrs. Luke prom ises to excel is miniature. She is study ing with Miss Boyd and expects to make it speciality She has painted only two, and of both her mother was the subject. The later one was displayed in shadow box at the exhibition and excited the ad- miration of every visitor. She is now at work on a miniature copy of the pie ture of herself that appears on a page of The Age-Herald today, and 1t will un- occasionally be another triumph, for Mrs Luke works tirelessly and is stern critic when she has an aim in view. This photograph, by the way, appeared not long since in the San Francisco Chronicle. With it was the story of an exquisite sketch by the Artist Blumenschein, who, at the instigation of Ray Stannard Baker, made sketch of her one day as the typ ical western woman. She was passing on horsdbzek and appealed to the writer as the one woman he had seen who ex. pressed the idea of the western woman that he wished to introduce into his story of "The Great Northwest" Per- sonally Mrs Luke Is one of the most at. tractive of women. Rather below the medium height, she nevertheless gives that impression of distinction that one associates with the heroic type of woman Possessed of unusual beauty and the keenest wit, 1t is small wonder that she has been vastly admired socially in the large cities of Montana, California and Dakota where she made her home before coming to Birmingham two years ago. A young woman who stood with group be- fore the miniature in the art exhibit last week said to her in burst or ehlhus- iasm, "Surely you don't mean that you have accomplished all this after less than two years study l think you are quite wonderful" Not at all,'' she answered. .ewhat I have done is the result of con- stant effort I spend every morning ex- cept Saturday of each week studying in Miss Edna Smiths studio. The after moons of last winter were occupied III MISS Lucille Douglass studio in water colors
 cri1-f -ffau rlxy afternoons to miniature with Miss Boyd. So vou see if success comes to me, 1t will he because I have worked harder than most
 MT. and Mrs. Walter Moore announce the engagement of their daughter, Bessie Barker, to MT. John Armistead, the we'd ding to occur on the afternoon or Jan nary 12 at the First Methodist church.
 MT. and Mrs. Lucien Effert Key have announced the engagement of their daughter Nellie Marie, to Dr. Whitfield walker Crook of Whiteville, Tenn, the wedding to take place at their home in <A <ACuthbert, Ga, January F.
 Miss Key has visited Mrs. J. T. Pal mer in this city and has number of friends who will be interested In this announcement Dr. Crook is son Of Judge and Mrs. E. F. Crook of An- niston He is a prominent physician Of Whiteville.
 Mir. Hollis Bush will give college dance at the Country club on the even ing of December g.
 Misses Dora and Susie McLester will entertain at luncheon Tuesday in com pliment to Miss Carrie Cobbs and Miss Anna Van Hoose.
 Tuesday afternoon at o'clock at the residence of the brides parents, MT. and Mrs. James Gaudin, 1011 South Twelfth street the marriage of Miss Flu lamae Gaudin to MT. Clyde Jackson Or rison will be quietly solemnized, Rev. Father Coyle officiating. Immediately after the ceremony the bridal couple will leave for New York and Wash ington to remain ten days.
 At the Womans Exchange, beginning tomorrow morning, there will be sale of Christmas articles. This sale really con- tinues throughout the year. Fancy ar- Beautiful Roses Rhododendrons, hardy
 Azaleas, Peonies,. vines, shrubs, ever
 greens, shade and fruit trees, bulbs,
 nfnks and Averything else you may need