Howard Pyle and The Studio Group

I recently had the pleasure of spending a day with the artists of "The Studio Group," in Wilmington, DE.

This 36 member group of women own the former studios of Howard Pyle,
the "Father of American Illustration," and founder of the Brandywine Tradition of painting.

I spent the day as "Guest Critic," which brought out the Teacher in me. In the floor
of the studio is a cross section of a Buttonwood tree, in the spot where Pyle stood
when painting; an homage to "The Master."

Howard Pyle was a fantastic and innovative Illustrator, and a "bigger than life"
teacher and mentor to his many students. Among them were N. C. Wyeth,
Maxfield Parrish, and Philadelphian Violet Oakley.

Pyle's art influenced, of all people, Vincent Van Gogh, his contemporary in Europe.
In one of his many letters to his brother, Theo, Vincent exclaimed, "Howard Pyle's
illustrations struck me numb with admiration!"
Thank goodness Vincent didn't take up illustration.

This little painting is the result of a wonderful morning spent by me along the banks of
the Brandywine River, in Chadds Ford. (Oil, 5 X 7", $110.00)