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PORTRAITURE one of twenty-five paintings chosen

Continued from Page 17 by the Florida Federation of Art for
its annual circuit around Florida.
The family
moved to Miami Eloise Vail
in 1945. McW illiams
The Miami studied art at
Herald noted the Cleveland
Laessle in an School of Art
Apr il 1949 before moving
column: ”A to Miami and
folding easel, Coconut Grove
an A us tin in 1937. In
and the open 1947 her self
road. This is a portrait won
combination bes t f igur e
that partially painting at the
explains the Miami Woman’s
quantities Club Annual
of little ‘First Artist & Writers
Prize’ slogans Br eakf as t.
t hat ha v e Eloise McWilliams. Day Dreams, Girl with a A member
appear ed in Book. Oil on canvas, 30 x 36 inches. of the Florida
the last couple Exhibited Florida Federation of Art, Federation of
of years on the 19th Annual, Miami Beach, Art and Miami’s
contributions December 7, 1945. pr es t igious
of the Miami B l u e D o m e
painter to group exhibitions. Since Fellowship, she exhibited in Miami
he came to Miami four years ago, Mr. into the 1950’s before passing away
Laessle and his ‘painting wagon’ have at her home in Coconut Grove in
hit a lot of Florida high spots with the 1969 at age 82.
‘first prize’ results mentioned…
But when you paint scenes flooded Well that’s a brief look at Florida
with Florida sunshine, you need portraiture from Palm Beach and
to be out in the sunlight to get Lady with Red Hair to the beginning
the proper affect, this traveling of the modern woman’s movement
artist believes...So far the principal in Miami in the 1940’s. The Ringling
painting areas have been the Keys Museum has portraits by Frans
and the region about Marco Island, Hals and Rembrant. Madam X and
‘though up Palm Beach way’ has also American Gothic are classical
provided some subject material.” American portraits. I hope this
In 1950 Laessle was president of article will stimulate Floridians to
Miami’s prestigious artist group find and preserve our own portrait
the Blue Dome Fellowship. From heritage.
1951 to 1956 Laessle worked as an
instructor in portrait painting at the Fred Frankel’s book, The Artists
Terry Art Institute. This self portrait of Old Florida, 1840-1960 can
appeared in the June 15, 1952 issue be downloaded at his website:
of the Miami Daily News and was theartistsofoldflorida.com

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