The San Francisco call., 1909-04-18

near the locality, and Keith Is now en-
gagged in working up portrait of Har-
riman, for which sittings were given
last winter.
1t is characteristic of Keith that
while he can command high prices
for his work he is always willing to
give where he feels that it is a benefit
to do So But let counterfeiters of his
work beware. He tells the story of
young woman coming to his studio
with q small picture which she had
purchased at an auction place in this
city on the representation that it was
Keith's work. It was autographed in
the corner in an exact reproduction Of
Keitll's style. When the artist saw the
picture he exclaimed. MY dear
madam, I never saw that picture be-
fore!' whereupon the purchasers dis
appointment knew no bounds Keith
states this occurrence to be a common
one, especially since the fire. Dozens
of people have been to him explaining
that they bought pictures with his
signature and all have been proved
forgeries.
ITS the meanest kind of steal" said
Keith. Its worse than taking money
a thousand times. But the man writes
my name as well as / could do 1t
myself"
The Studio building in Bush street
expects to be ready for tenants the
1st of September. 1t is stated that for
the convenience of the artists occupy
ing studios a right Of way will be
granted through the synagogue prop
erty in Sutter street With Vickery
Atkins & Torrey a block farther up the
street, and the art shop of Courvoiser
just opposite, the advantages Of this
arrangement can hardly be overesti-
mated. Vickery plans to have similar
place in regard to artistic surround
ings to the one he is now occupying
A glimpse Of a garden in front will be
a relief to the eye weary OF payings,
and IL the fountain and marble seats
can be added, the garden may prove a
veritable haven OF unsupported lowell
ness.
Frank McComas has Joined the art
colony so comfortably housed in the
Hirsch- Kaiser building in Post street
and has studio which may prove a
sort of Mecca to art lovers when fur
nished and in running order.
The Washington Star announces that
j. Pierpont Morgan has signified his
acceptance OF the presidency of the
National Academy of Art and that a
convention of art societies will be held
in that city IN May. The object of
the convention is to form a fedora
tion which will bring into direct re-
lationship the numerous art bodies all
over the United States. Various topics
of interest will be discussed at the
coming convention. such as civic art,
travelling exhibitions, circulating libra
ries of art, etc.
American art is to have a most COM
mendable showing this summer, de-
clares the Chicago Post. The Society of
American Art Collectors proposes to
organize a collection of representative
American paintings for the exhibition
in London and Paris. Former Senator
William A Clark of New York is a
member OF the society and, 1t is said,
will arrange for suitable galleries In
both OF these cities.
The so representative works to be
sent to Venice for the American section
of the third international exposition
will be chosen by Harrison s. Morris,
Herbert Adams, vice president of the
national academy; John w. Alexander,
Francis Jones, Edmund c. TarbeI, j.
Alden Weir and Joseph Pennell.
Elmer Wachtel has been holding one
of his rare exhibitions in the Blan-
chard gallery in Los Angeles. 1t is
said to be particularly fine and full
of interest to those who have watched
this painters growth. A group of eight
Arizona paintings are remarkable in
their rendering of atmospheric distance
and in the elusive and wonderful COL
oring OF the desert lands