Evening star., 1926-03-14


NN fascinating ones vocation
may be, there are times
when he would rather talk
of something else. The politician
wearies of discussing taxes. the busi-
ness man delights in verbally replay-
ing his golf games as a relief from
conferences on commercial topics and,
whether he will admit 1t or not, the
artist often becomes fed up on art.
SO when the writer interviewed
Lucien w. Powell. dean of the Wash
ington painters, the conversation was
largely about matters OF interest TO
every one and only touched on art
occasionally and that because Mr..
Powell is so thoroughly wrapped up
in his work that it is almost impossi-
Bile for him to talk an hour or so with
out bringing up that subject.
Although he Is still at work in his
sOth year and attributes his truly
remarkable vigor and activity to the
love he bears his profession. Mr..
Powell welcomed the opportunity to
give his opinions about the ever
pressing problems of life, and to dis
cuss current questions. He was
Youthful in his enthusiasm as he
spoke ON such diversified subjects as
| the immensity of life, the difficult
problems Of the farmer. the present
day styles and the close kinship be-
tween music and painting.
From the living room of his tempo
rary residence, near George Washing
ton University. this energetic little
man was looking out. after busy day
with his brush, at the long line OF
students hurrying to late afternoon
| classes.
"There are so many people," he be-
| gan. lone wonders how they all get
along. I have Travelled extensively,
and often, as I enter a city by nign!
| and see the crowds under the artificial
| lights hurrying back and forth, l am
| overwhelmed with the immensity OF
life realize that it is impossible to
| know many in such multitude. Yet
! there Is an undeniable attraction IN
| throngs that draws men to cities: L
| like most cities. I particularly like
| Washington. But I also like to get
| away, after a while, to the secluslon
of my farm, in nearby Virginia"
| The point was made that there has
I been a widespread effort recently 10
| understand the grim beauty OF the
city. 1t was apparent in literature
| and In art. It seemed natural. even II
| IL was talking shop" to ask which
he considered the best training ground
| for a young artist-the country or the
city.
! Zone is almost as essential as the
| other" was the prompt response: "A
| painter must go to nature for his IN
i spiration, and this can only properly
be done in the country. However, ne
should profit by the experiences OF
| others, which ordinarily means ne
must visit the city and associate with
brother artists. Then, too. If his work
| is to fulfill its proper mission, 1t must
be sold or displayed. AS a rule, there
ia neither a market for paintings nor
a place to exhibit them IN the coun'
| try"
| Much as love the country" the
artist continued, II know all about Its
| handicaps to the ambitious youth. AS
! a, boy I worked on farm for 80 cents
| a day. I was Industrious, but l saw
| that even an Industrious boy could not
| get very far on such wages. was
small, and a little crippled, and not
| we'll fitted for manual labor. But from
my childhood could always draw: !
used to make pencil sketches that nao
real character. 1t was not until later
that I had any paints to work WIN.
| Perhaps it was because ! did not nave
! colors at my disposal in the beginning
| that I used them so enthusiastically
after I obtained them.
| 1--WE are beginning to realize that
color is not confined to painting. 1t
should be an integral part of lie:
Nothing is so unbearable as so-called
| dull existence-and that term Is ex-
pressive. The effort to bring color.
variety, brightness. whatever you
wish to name it, into our lives can be
seen on all sides. Have you observed
the large amount of color IN women's
dresses of late? It is a small item to
be sure, but significant"
The fact hat Mr.. Powell is able
to paint with his singular skill at his
age constitutes an impressive lesson