The river press. [volume] (Fort Benton, Mont.) 1880-current, 1909-04-07

Prima Donna Tells Of Miss Smiths
Efforts In Art-Paintins Of Portraits
Started With the Eyes.
Helen Smith, the wonderful girl psy-
chic at Geneva, who is astonishing
even those who profess to know the
mysteries Of .occultism and bewilder-
ing those who follow the philosophy
OF materialism, recently finished the
fourth painting in the series Of seven
which she claims she. has been inspir-
ed to do, and the work is exciting the
wonder of art connoisseurs who have
seer it,
Miss Minnie Tracey. the prima don
ia, daughter Of Colonel John Tracey.
journalist, who at the time of his
death was commissioner Of charities
in Washington. recently returned to
Paris from Geneva. where she has
made a triumph in the operas of .'Tris-
tan und IsOde' and "TannhauSer."
She is a great friend of Helen Smith
and spent much tirre with her watch.
ing her work upon the portrait OF
Cagliostro, which is Miss Smiths lat
est work. Speaking Of her experience.
Miss Tracey said:
II called upon Miss Smith quite fire..
quently while In Geneva and saw tho
portrait Of Cagliostro grow from it.
beginning. 1t was simply wonderful.
At first the outline appeared like the
features Of a young man. but as Miss
Smith worked the face grew older and
wrinkled. The color of his dress was
changed several times during the max
ing Of the picture and finally remained
n rich brown.
"You understand that Miss Smith Is
m uneducatcd girl, without a knowl-
edge Of or ven an acquaintance with
painting. She is always in a trance
while doing her work and lever takes
anything to eat or drink on the day
she receives her inspiration AS there
is a painting of Cagliostro in the
Louvre at Paris, it is proposed to
bring the painting by Miss Smith to
Paris to compare the likeness Of the
subconscious work with the real por-
trait in the museum.
Miss Smiths work so far has con- |
sisted Of three other p~aintings-a Cru
,ifxion.' which possesses such strength
and originality that it made tears
come to my eyes when l looked upon
It; Christ In G~ethsemane' and a 'Vir-
GIN She has never been out Of Ge-
neva and has been a very limited read
er. Yet the historic facts she states
are always correct, and her knowledge
Of geography and of places is perfect.
"M. Badin, in whose store Helen
as a shopgirl until her remarka-
BILE psychic manifestations attracted
the attention Of the psycho-philoso-
piers. told me that Helen never evi-
great intelligence, but that she
had a remarkable memory. Whenever
she became possessed with an inspi-
ration to paint NJ. Radin willingly al
owed her to go home and remain
away as long as she required.
Through Mrs. James Jackson's gem
she was enabled to give up her
position and stay at home to develop |
LIZA pO"NAS' |
1.-THE painting Of a picture involves
much preparation, for the 'inspira-
tion,' or whatever 1t may be. directs
her just how to prepare the canvas or
panel ON which to paint, indicating the
exact size, the kind Of wood or can
vas to be used and everything to the
minutest detail. Even after every
thing has been prepared this inspira-
tional force often decides to change
It's mind and will instruct Miss Smith
to commence all over again on a new
plan.
"She generally starts her portraits
with the eyes,. The room in which she
is always in a dim light, and
absolute quiet must prevail. She had
her first command to paint in 1906.
but attributed it to some wild fancy
md did not take 1t seriously, but as
the inspiration required she followed
It's Instructions and finished her first
work. The Cruciixion.' in 1908"