Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1926-12-19
BY LEILA MECHLIN.
HE Washington Water Color
Clubs Thirty-first Annual Elk
hibition, which opened in the

hibition, which opened IN the
Il Corcoran Gallery of Art yes.
terday and will be on view until
january II, more than upholds the
high standard of merit set in past sea-
sons. In fact, this is as attractive and
worthwhile a showing as one Will ma
even in New York, where notable eX-
hibitions are the rule.
Water color as a medium has been
regarded somewhat as weak SIS
ter" When 1t first came into use in
England II was classed as drawing
and applied in delicate wash. All this.
however, is a thing of the past. In
recent years our painters have learned
to use water color with q freshness
and vigor heretofore unknown. Wins
low Homer was one of the first to find
such Virile expression, and Sargent
some years later added to the new
tradition. It is an amazing thing how
many painters today are worthily fol
lowing In the footsteps of these great
modern masters, demonstrating their
originality and, Furthermore, their
right to be reckoned in the same com
pany. Undoubtedly the modern move
hent for simplification and use OF
strong, clear color has induced finer
expression in this medium. and ii is
worth mentioning that the paintings
in this current exhibition for the most
part go to show that one can be at the
same time both modern and sane.
Great credit accrues to the commit
tee of the Washington Water Color
Club, responsible for the hanging of
this exhibition The arrangement is
excellent and the showing IS a whole
is effective. Wisely, this committee
has as far as possible hung the works
of the artists represented in groups.
thus forming engaging units and as
surfing homogeneity In effect.
The opening group, Nos. l to in
he catalogue, are paintings by Miss
lesley jackson, who has lately re-
turned from year abroad. These four
pictures, however, are of local scenes
Cherry Blossoms. Potomac Park;
Woods in Rock Creek Park" The
Febrew Temple" and THE Cathedral
Mount Saint Alban." each most
alphabetically interpreted. Balancing
this group at the opposite end of the
II 1t wall is another and larger group
hY Miss Jackson, Of subjects found
abroad, chiefly in Sicily - charming
Is, full of the picturesqueness of
ace, yet rendered with the utmost
i'll and simplicity. All of these are
tie pictures painted in gouache on
gray paper and possess what might be
'frmed both big and precious quail
les.
Next to Miss Jackson's first group
ngs a group of three in pure water
Tor by Eleanor Park GUSTS. One is
the famous church. San Clio. in
~omo; one a street in Bellagio. with
all of its delightful crookedness and
Ia Scinating color: the third, view in
u Tuilleries. Miss GUSTS has never
done better. and this is saying much.
William II. Holmes, president OF the
tter Color Club and director of the
tional Gallery of Art. is represented
II small paintings arranged on two
re mounts, "improvised bits" painted
Lring the past Summer--the artist
memories of things seen. 1t is hard
10 believe that these little pictures
we're not done in the face Of Nature,
SO vital are they. so convincing. If
they are not actualities they readily
might be; they should be: Nature her.
self never wrought more surely or
more perfectly And what vast
mount Mr.. Holmes has encompassed
In small space without jeopardizing
tbs impression of size, Of grandeur!
No hing could better testify to the
pn' tiers versatility and skill than this
8, hit.
is extremely interesting in this
ibition to come across two water
RS by Charles w. Hawthorne, for
associates Mr.. Hawthorne as a
lie with large figure paintings in OIL
jeGe. however, are instances of his
play work, witnessing his command of
1no'e than one medium. "Sunlit
!:o"fs" and Sunset From High Head"
ar both essentially impressions and
~ II be viewed from a distance in
" ar to realize effect. but they are
liant achievements, true renditions
The Illusion Of dazzling sunlight
ugh shimmering atmosphere.
Iizabeth Spalding of Denver, Colo,
,se work is well known in Wash.
on through frequent exhibition
e. likewise shows two broadly
nted renditions of big themes
lis in Autumn, Colorado" and In
Snow, Colorado" exceptionally
works.
Elizabeth Sawtelle has never at.
med greater success than in her
rec works which here represent
er-"Street Scene. Taornina"; Re
@" lge Of It's shore, and last but per
b. best, Surf" an extraordinary
g. lting showing an incoming roller
comb tossed back by the wind,
exceedingly difficult subject handled
:. 4 amazing power and veracity
RS. Susan B. Chase shows a group
three admirable works painted in
vicinity Of Washington, all diff
subjects well rendered. There are
notable paintings by Gladys Bran.
IN. formerly of Washington, now
New York. both Bermuda scenes.
ere is an interesting picture Of one
The well known harbors in the Is.
md OF Majorca by William j. Potter
lId colorful rendition of the Bay of
Nahles by Mary c. Koolage. Annie d.
rs " shows an interesting picture of
Bc1r Rock. In the Blue Ridge, and
nj y K. Porter an admirably painted
Up of pines on a hillside. Lucien
Powell. who has just celebrated his
tieth birthday anniversary, is rep