Mrs. Marion Boyd
The Nisqually
by Marion Boyd
A well-known
Indiana artist, who grew to womanhood in Warsaw, has been selected
as this week's feature by the editory of Today's Woman. Marion
(Pierce) Boyd, now of Anderson, is the daughter of Mrs. Grace
Pierce and the late Wesley I. Pierce of this city. (Photo Below).
From time to time, Today's Woman will present women who have
achieved recognition for outstanding accomplishments in their
particular fields of endeavor. Today Mrs. Marion (Pierce) Boyd,
who was born and reared in Warsaw, submits the following article
upon request. (The Editor)
There aren't enough hours in the day (nor, perhaps energy in me!)
for all I'd like to do. If I enjoyed gardening, cooking and housekeeping
less I might find more time to paint.
An artist is often asked, "How did you start to paint?"
Draw, I always have, from the time I was a fascinated on-looker
at my father's drawing board.
An artist cousin, Raymond Sisley, former art director of the Chicago
Tribune, on my mother's side of the family, gave me my first artist's
set of water colors. Appreciation and encouragement from my parents
was a beginning. High school and college art classes provided
a foundation in drawing, color and composition. But it was in
the year 1940 that I seriously began to learn to use oil paints.
Allee Gerard and Inez Bolinger, of Warsaw, each contributed to
my increasing interest in painting. Sumer classes under Homer
Davisson and Mr. Marsh, of Fort Wayne, showed me how much I had
to learn. Mr. Davisson was a wonderful art teacher, and over the
years my respect for his ability as an artist and a fine person
has deepened.
Though I never studied under him I remember Leo Ruckle (formerly
of Dewart lake, now of Florida) awarded me my first prize at the
Kosciusko county fair. A year or two later I received another
first prize at the Fort Wayne Art School Show for my "Poplars,"
now owned by Mrs. Jesse Eschbach, of East Main Street.
Some of my happiest memories are of painting jaunts with Allee
Gerard, from whom I learned a great deal. The distinction she
has achieved as an artist is certainly deserved.
After moving to Anderson, Ethelyn (Ker) Bergevin, daughter of
Mrs. Charles Ker, Sr., East Center street, introduced me to Tuthven
Byrum, head of the art department of Anderson college, and Anderson's
leading artist. An invitation to membership in the Anderson Society
of Artists -a group that is stimulating with its annual juried
competitive show.
A second prize in 1947 and a first in 1948 coincided with the
acceptance of my first painting for hanging in the annual Hoosier
Salon in Indianapolis. That painting, "The Matriarch,"
now hangs in the hall at Warsaw high school.
Most years since 1950 have seen my name in the Hoosier Salon catalogue.
In 1953 my "Gray Spring Day," was awarded the Mark Honeywell
prize for landscape composition.
This spring in the Wabash River Valley show at the Sheldon Swope
Gallery, Terre Haute, my "Forsythia" won first prize
for floral arrangement. "Sunlit Beech" received honorable
mention, after receiving a first in the fall Anderson Show.
Last summer while staying in Glendale, Calif., I had the opportunity
of studying with a fine portrait painter, Katherine Shackleford.
"Little Leaguer" was painted in Anderson in the fall.
Portrait painting I find fascinating, though difficult.
"The Nisqually" with Mt. Rainier in the background represents
a departure from my regular technique. It was the first painting
I had done entirely with a paint knife, rather than brushes. I
find it ideal, particularly for flowing water.
Two years ago I had my first outdoor painting class in a three-week
session. This year for six weeks, I taught a very interested and
interesting group of amateur artists, ages 17 to 70.
There is a rather recently organized and very active group of
amateur artists here, sponsored originally by the Anderson Civic
Art Association. I have served with the latter group on exhibit
committee, and as secretary and president.
The six to eight exhibits Civic Art sponsors each year, which
are hung in the lobby of the Y.M.C.A., add to community interest,
and are well attended by the public. In 1952 the association sponsored
my first one-man show.
Brown county has been one of my favorite painting spots; there
I have studied with C. Curry Bohm and Gianni Cilfone, both fine
artists and teachers.
More recently I've enjoyed painting the clear rippling stream
at Spring Mill State Park. It is several years since I've painted
in the Indiana Dunes, which I love.
The interest and encouragement both my mother and my husband,
Ralph, have given me have been an added incentive to continue
painting.
There is an enormous increase in amateur painting over the country.
I can recommend painting as being absorbing, stimulating, rewarding-some
times frustrating-but never dull. Personally I do not find it
relaxing-though Mr. Churchill and President Eisenhower do.
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Mrs. Marion Boyd |
The Nisqually |