The Washington times., 1936-01-15

blue blossoms, Richenda Stew
under the careful eye Of a tut
and later did attend the insti
ford. Their small sister was not
planning to follow in their foot
steps. Instead of arranging her
days with q bit Of everything
thrown in, sports. pleasure and
study, she went into one or two
things at a time very intensely.
SO, it was that the stage APP
pealed to her and was taken up
only to be dropped in favor Of
ballet dancing.
Studied Abroad
When through with studies at
home and still not particularly
attracted to her sisters lives. >.
of college at Palo Alto, then
graduation, then large weddings
with many attendants and flow
ers-the young girl went abroad.
In Paris she studied sculpture
and in England water color.
While visiting in Germany she
became acquainted with ceramics
and that was her cue. Return
ing home, she knew what she
would devote her time and skill
to. But it was not as easy as it
sounds, for one of the most es-
sential pieces of equipment in
this business is a kiln, and these
are, as the eagerly enthusiastic
artist soon discovered, disturb
ingly hard to find. Finally one
was located in Berkeley, just
across the bay from San Fran
cisco, and her work was started.
From just a few models the
"brain children" grew in num-
Der and design until now they
may be found in smart little
shops and interior decorating es-
adjustments from coast to coast.
We have all seen them-those
round dimpled little colts,
naughty pouter pigeons, that
look like bankers of birdom,
odd little peasants in colorful
garb, and countless others.
Eastern Trip
Early in the autumn, Richenda
came East on business trip to
New York. Passing through
Washington, she stopped to visit
some friends, and while here, met
again the young Marine officer
she had known out West. Some
how the trip on to the metropolis
was put off and put off, and on
August II the young couple
slipped quietly away to Balti-
more and were married. All
of her life she had been some
what afraid of domesticity, with
It's kitchen horrors and Scowling
pots and pans, to say nothing of
untranslatable recipes. Now, when
finding herself in the midst of
planning or peeking into an oven
to keep a guardian eye on pud-
ding or cake, she almost pincheS
herself to see whether or not it
Is real, such fun is it all.
The ElliseS are now at home
In a wee little house that looks
a bit Californiaish. In the large
living room there is a hospitable
stone fireplace, which nearly
always has logs merrily burning
In it. Grouped about this in a
coy way are deep upholstered
chairs and a sofa, some of deep
green, some of beige. On the
mantle there is a model of a
Chinese junk with its narrow
Scalloped sails spread. ready for
the first sign of a wind. Near it
are two playful looking ceramic
colts of a bright, light shade
of blue. examples Of the young
hostess'S art. Over on a small
table near the door, with light
from a nearby window touching
1t with reverence, is the statue
Of a kneeling angel It is a copy
of those Mrs. Ellis designed for
the high altar of the Chapel at
the Dominican College at San
Raphael.
Though the factories are still
putting out her creations, Rich
enda Ellis has not designed any
new ones lately, her wheel and
various paraphernalia are tucked
away in a storeroom, waiting.
When time and space will permit,
the young Marine matron again
will take UP her art, for there is
something about ceramics that is
fs -"inating.
4 I0A O.