Evening star., 1947-01-12
Howard u. Presents Sculpture Exhibits;
Contrasting Styles Seen at Arts Club
By Florence S. Berrymon

visitors. EtcnlngS, QfypolnCS ana
other works by w. Russell Flint
in the reception rooms are natural
istic, and deal with subjects Of a
popular type. The finger paintings
by Faith Villas in the gallery, are
nonobjective, and the observer
rolls his own interpretations.
Mrs. Villas, who calls her works
subjective or absolute paintings, has
developed her technique in less than
three years. AS very young girl
she began to study art, working for
IL years in various media. After
her marriage she transferred her
creative enthusiasm to poetry and
drama, and became convinced that
'any art, pursued seriously, with
perfection of technique as one of
it's goals, will supply -. facility OF
expression in any of the sister arts.
First Tried Form in 1914.
She became interested in finger
painting in 1914. The basic method
is ancient, possibly prehistoric; but
individual artists develop their own
variations. Mrs. Villas began paint
ing with fingers only, but says she
found crater freedom OF express
sion" by using the palm, side-hand
and arm. She has experimented
with paints and with many sur
faces: Paper, canvas and wood. The
color gradations blend into one an
other. She hopes her paintings
will achieve "an emotional reaction
in onlookers comparable to that
produced by a symphony orchestra"
AS a concession to observers who
like titles, Mrs. Villas has suggested
them for the 10 works now hang
ing at the Arts Club: Such titles as
Heart of Earth" "Arunchala," }" "Ig-
mis- Fatuus" and Patterned Dream"
Responding to this for one instance,
I would change "Ignis Fatuus" to
Swamp at Twilight"
There Is little doubt that the lay
man will derive from these paint
ings only as much as he brings to
them. They probably appeal
chiefly to people capable OF being
carried away" by their emotions or
imaginations.
One of Mrs. Villas paintings was
published in Golfers magazine last
autumn to illustrate a story about
a hurricane.
40 Works by william Flint.
William Russell Flint, Scottish
artist who has won renown for his
work in several media, is represent
ed with about 40 etchings, drypoints,
water colors and crayon drawings,
which occupy the Arts Clubs recep-
ton room walls. The entire colec-
ton was lent by c. B. Porter who
is treasurer of the Times-Herald.
Many of the prints are inscribed to
Mr.. Porter.
Mr.. Flint was born in Edinburgh,
in 1880; his father was an artist and
designer. The youth was educated
at Daniel Stuart's College, Edin-
burgh, and went to London in 1900
to join the regular staff of Illus
trated London News. He first made
a reputation as a water colorist, re-
ceived silver medal at the "Old'
Salon, Paris, 1912. During World
War I he was a lieutenant in the
Royal Naval Volunteer Reserve,
captain in the Raj, and Admiralty
Overseer on Rigid Airships.
He is member of and regular ex-
hibitor at the Royal Academy. He
was elected president of the Royal
Water Colour Society in 1886, Is also
member of the Royal Society OF
Painter -Etchers and Engravers, and
of the Council of Artists General
Benevolent Institute.
Besides his skillful work in water
color Zone large example Of which
has place of honor at the club
Mr.. Flint paints in oils, Is book
and medical illustrator and litho-
grapher. It was in the late '20s that
he bgan to work in etching and dry
point, and quickly achieved repu-
tation as a print maker, being in
cluded in various editions of Fine
Prints Of the Year." selected by
Campbell Dodgson.
One can well understand the
honors accorded him, after seeing
the collection of his work here.
Many of the prints depict nude
figures on beaches, in the sunlight,
or in pools against architectural
backgrounds te.g., "Bango dele
Marchesa"). The handling is deli
cate but firm and the artist achieves
remarkable sense of atmosphere,
fresh air and sparkling sunlight in
the beach scenes, and the still, cool
air of sheltered places and interiors.
Besides the prints in which one or
few figures play the leading role,
there are many in which figures in
medieval or other picturesque cos