The Coconino sun., 1927-08-12

Jacobs, Ernestyne Fay, Helen Miller,
Marian Gaisser, Ruth Rindfleisch, Ed
wilma Riclzel and Joan and Rachel
Softley.
oOo-
Taking precedence on the immed-
late social calendar is the exhibition
of paintings Of Mary Russell Ferrell
Cotton tomorrow at her home, Coy
ote Range, and new studio in the pines
nearby, when members of the Flag
staff Business and Professional Wo-
mems club viii be joint hostesses with
Mrs. Cotton at tea from two until
five
Mrs Cotton is a landscape artist
Of national recognition and the privi-
lege of viewing her paintings accord
ed Flagstaff is appreciated. OF her
work on exhibit in Philadelphia last
winter, the art critic of the Phila-
delphia Public Ledger says, "In the
work of Mrs. Cotton one feels an un-
DERIVING sense of the grandeur of
nature and the inconsequence of man.
It is an impersonal nature, as Mrs.
Cotton interprets it. Color may be
changefuI, but it is epic in quality;
it sweeps with majesty over hills and
plains, accentuating the weird forms
of the west, bathing the land in sol
emnity. 1t may be vivid, it may be
delicate; but it always maintains its
stately aloofness.
One desert scene will be of particu-
lar interest at this time. 1t is called
"Out on the Hopi Mesa" a scene in
the vicinity OF the coming snake
dance, the sketch for which was made
several years ago when the artist and
her husband witnessed the dance. An
other of Mrs. Colton's larger can
vases is Afternoon Across the Wea-
po Wash,V quiet glowing landscape,
typical of desert scenery north and
east of Flagstaff.
The artists has caught and pre-
served in color the many character
istic manifestations Of the reserva-
tion scenery and preserved them in
veritable gems of beauty. Her cloud
effects are especially arresting. To
those who view her pictures tomor-
row, who have when enjoying the
famous summer sunsets of Flagstaff,
felt poignantly the fading of the
beauties before them, viii be delight
ed to find them on enduring canvas.
For the past 10 years Mrs. Cotton
has accompanied her husband on his
field trips to this part of the west
and made many sketches. Most of
them are landscapes Of rare beauty
which show to advantage in her uni
que little studio just completed in
the woods south Of the Cotton home
OF Hopi type architecture the stu
dio is most interesting in its details.
it is constructed of native malpais
stones gathered on the spot. Large
beams of spruce brought down from
the peaks sustain the flat roof and
give interest to the simple plastered
walls and ceiling. A corner fire
place, a low seat along one side of
the room and an interesting little
entry nook are all Of soft toned grey
plaster finish, which affords an ideal
background against which will be
placed the rich-toned desert land
scapes. Many of the paintings are
recent and most are OF Arizona de-
sert and canyons, though there are
a few paintings of Maine scenery and
one large picture painted in Redlands
last winter.
Mrs. Cotton experiments with var
ious mediums. A charming panel
is painted with duco paint, thus glor-
flying a humble commercial product
Mary Russell Ferrell Cotton began
her art studies at the age of 15. She
Is a graduate of the Philadelphia
School Of Design for Women. She
studied under Mr.. Elliot Grangerfield
and Henry b. Smell, we'll known water
both Of New York, She is