The Detroit times., 1915-03-27
Local Artist
Finally Wins
Recognition

After u years OF study and paint
| ing, recognition has come 10 William
Greason. OF Detroit one OF whose
canvases was exhibited in the Just
ended exhibition OF the Pennsylvania
Academy OF Fine AFtE, in Phladel-
phia, and two in the annual eXhibi-
ton of the Ontario Society OF Paint
ers, In Toronto, which is still going
on.
Mr.. Greason has a studio at No.
40 Broadway Central, formerly the
Healy building To this bare work
room. many wealthy Detroiters and
lovers OF art have already made
their way, after becoming slightly
acquainted with the painters work
IN local exhibitions. There Mr..
Greason receives them in difttdent,
but friendly way; and there he
shows them the painted impres-
sions OF summers In Maine and au'
tumns In Ontario. on the upper
Thames.
II isn't much 20 look at, this
studio. Unframed pictures, their
faces to the wall line the base
board. Two easels support other
pictures. A couple OF chairs. a small
work table. stand with a mirror
constitute the furniture. An uneer-
tain, shifting light comes from an
EAST window. The w!ndow-sil Is
loaded with bottles OF oil and tur'
pentine. brushes, knives and other
tools OF the painter. II is here that
Mr.. Greason makes his hastily
sketched studies into finished pic
lures.
Matinicus island, Is miles OF, the
Maine coast. has a great attraction
| for Mr.. Greason. he has painted
picture after picture OF this home
OF fishermen. this group OF rocks N
the midst Of the sea, whose soh
Yields Just enough grass 20 pasture
few iocks OF sheep. The sheep
figure IN several Of Mr.. Greason' $
pictures. There is small painting
showing them grazing or bright,
sunny day. with the blue sea IN The
distance: and there Is larger can
vas n lonely scene, with the sheep
In the marshy foreground. the sea
breaking on rock IN the middle
distance, and the mist lifting TO show
dimly the desolate island shore.
There IL another picture OF Matini-
Gus, showing the harbor at day
break. with the mist softening the
hard lines OF the houses and barns
on the shore. and a tug stealing out
or the smooth water OF the inlet TO
begin her turbulent tri-veehy Voy-
are to Rockiand.
Mr.. Greason IL very skillful In
these pictures Of soft Light which
he paints smoothly and evenly, with
Ia nne appreciation OF values. But
he Is equally good in the smoky
Iiixht OF October. amid brilliant an,
ltumn foliage, and in the bright sun
LOT summer. He has painted many
landscapes near his birthplace, ST
Mary's. Ont, showing the valley Of
1.-The Thames flaming with naples and
other trees which the frost makes
brilliant: and II is one OF such pic
lures, called October which was
Iaccepted by the Pennsylvania aead
envy, passing the close scrutiny OF
such careful judges as Childe Has
sam. Frank W. Benson, Hugh Breck
inridge and other famous American
artists. Another picture which Mr.
Greason likes is one OF bis old home
painted In a high key, and aliogeth
er too brilliant to be hung anywhere
; but in gallery.
. Mr.. Greason was born 30 years
aRo, In the little Ontario town. After
deciding that he would Ike 10 De
painter. he studied in the Pennsyi
|. yania Academy Of Fine Arts and II
1.-THE Darby school under Brecktnridg'
, and Thomas p. Anschutz. Then n
; went to Paris, where be spent twc