Charley Harper at Home

This blog isn't meant to be commercial in nature, but I just watched the Charley Harper video that appears on this page, where he is interviewed by Todd Oldham.  His studio and home reminded me of Ruth's home.  A house, a studio, and a gallery, all in one.  I also enjoyed the anecdote about his pants being covered in paint from cleaning brushes, like Ruth's studio floor.  I wish I had more video footage of Ruth, I might have to do some investigations to find that.

After The Road

Here's a painting from someone who took some art classes from Ruth Dicker.  Her family owned a business that hosted a show at in the 1960's and this painting was a gift at the end of the show.  It is in need of a good cleaning and the owner is going to send an after shot when it does get cleaned.  I will need to look into my photos to see if I have a scanned slide for it.

Prolific

This week, with the help of a family friend, we cleaned out a storage locker of some of Ruth's paintings and sketches.  There were incomplete pieces, works from high school and college, masterpieces, and everything in between.  There were hundreds of scraps of paper with painting or invitation sketches.  Ruth was a prolific artist.  It wouldn't surprise me if she painted over a thousand pieces in her lifetime.  Many of them are documented here and many probably aren't.  I still have more photos and slides to upload and more people continue to email pictures of their paintings that they have enjoyed for many years.  As a result of clearing out the locker, more people will have a chance to enjoy some of her work and that is a great result.

Blue Bird in Landscape

Check out Blue Bird in Landscape on ebay:

New Links Coming Online

It's amazing to see more links coming online as more archiving and indexing is done.

Here's an April 1964 article from the Stanford Daily covering some great controversity:

Jedd Creates Controversy With Modern Art Exhibition
By BOB COX
Stanford's administrative center, Encina Hall, has ventured into the field of modern art. In a bold attempt to stimulate interest and excitement in this enigmatic field, Joseph Jedd, Director of Student Accounts, and K. D. Greigliton of the Controller's  Office, originated Encina's series of art exhibits.
On Creighton's suggestion that they brighten up the walls a bit, Jedd went to the Stanford Art Department. Jedd was enthusiastically received in his request for the temporary loan of some paintings, but arrangements were somehow confused, and no paintings were produced. He turned to the outside world and a well known Palo Alto artist, Mrs. Ralph Dicker.
Mrs. Dicker was kind enough to lend some of her modernist works for a period of two months at no charge. Her paintings proved quite controversial, but a new exhibitor, Miss Lynn Bostick. who then replaced Mrs. Dicker in March seems sure to outdo her.
Miss Bostick received her MA from Stanford University in 1963 and served as a teaching assistant during the school year 1962-63.
She says the following of her paintings: "The landscape is represented in my paintings through color and form to express the shapes and proportions, the movement and texture, the space and solidity of natural forms as they are affected by sunlight."
MISS BOSTICK'S paintings now adorn the walls of Encina Ladies' Lounge. Jedd mentioned that many of the employees who had expressed dislike of Mrs. Dicker's paintings now wished them back, after having seen those of Miss Bostick.
But Jedd takes a remarkably serene and optimistic view of the state of affairs he has created. He himself was quite fond of Mrs. Dicker's paintings and is equally so of Miss Bostick's. Jedd expresed gratitude to the Stanford Art Department and Keith Boyle, from whom he first learned of Miss Bostick.
Miss Bostick's paintings are scheduled to bo taken down in the near future. The Stanford Art Department has promised to provide Jedd with a continual supply of the work of Stanford graduate students working for their MA in art.
Jedd has certainly accomplished his object of stimulating discussion and enthusiasm (be it pro or con) among the employees and visitors of Encina. He now looks forward eagerly to giving students further chance to exhibit their skills. Jedd's office, 144 Encina, is open to those who are interested.

Stanford Daily (Downloadable PDF).

If anyone has photos other either of the controversial exhibits, please drop a line.

Ruth Dicker paintings in Sweden

A few years ago, I emailed back and forth with a Ruth Dicker fan in Sweden.  One of his paintings recently came up for sale on ebay and now the other one is listed.  Check them out!

Bird Love (again)

A painting with the title Bird Love first came up a few years ago.  It now appears to be for sale on ebay, check it out.