My Dad liked to draw and was interested in art in a limited way. Sometime in the late 40's or early 50's when we went to the local beach an artist had set up his easel. He was there to paint and sell pictures as fast as he could. He had a system. He painted basically the same picture over and over.This was a mountain in the center, a lake in front of the mountain and trees on each side of the picture. There were a few variations. Some pictures had a waterfall leaving the lake. Some had a small animal on a ledge. Some had a canoe on the edge of the lake. .
Well this guy mesmerized Dad. Dad would have really liked to paint like this guy. The guy was a speed painter. His spruce trees took about two seconds flat to paint. Spruce trees seemed to just grow out of the canvas.
Well, you can predict that Dad was going to by one of these paintings. I'm sure the painting didn't cost much...maybe $10.00 or less. Dad was very proud of his purchase. He took it home and framed it. He showed it to all people who came to the house.
Mom? Well, Mom did not like the painting Dad bought. She grumbled about his painting to the end of her days.
Sunday morning I turned the radio on and they were half way through an interview. I wasn't listening. I did get that they were discussing a documentary. I was waiting for the news. Then I got that the documentary was about a prairie artist and then I heard the name "Flexie". The name Flexie grabbed my attention. Flexie was the guy who painted the picture Dad bought. Check out the link as there's an interesting bio on Flexie.
So a documentary of Flexie was made and a show of his art was set up and shown in Regina Sask. I think it's also going to be shown in Calgary Alberta as well.
So one little old radio interview brought back an interesting family story.
What an interesting connection! What happened to your father's painting?
ReplyDeleteGood question. I will ask and see if anybody remembers.
DeleteThat's a fascinating story. The first link worked but the second one didn't. I think it's high time Flexie got his own exhibition. Good for him!
ReplyDeleteI will check the link. Flexie died in 1974. He was born in 1918 so did not have a long life. Yes, he deserves some recognition.
DeleteI'll have to find out more about Flexie, but mostly I enjoyed the story about your dad. :-)
ReplyDeleteThere's not much online about him.
DeleteThat is indeed and very interesting story and bravo to "The Artist Returns".....just wondering what happened to the painting; do you still have it.
ReplyDeleteI will check with my brothers to see if the painting is still around. The guy does deserve some recognition.
DeleteI've seen speed painters before, they make it look too easy
ReplyDeleteThis guy had a bit of showmanship so people liked to watch him paint.
DeleteVery interesting Red, too bad your Mom didn't appreciate the painting as much as your Dad. I followed the link and it looks like Flexie is a tad famous now:)
ReplyDeleteMy parents were both very different so at times it was rough going for them. Flexie is getting some recognition but I don't think the paintings have become valuable at all.
DeleteNow you wish you had this perhaps.
ReplyDeleteI'm not sure what happened to the painting. I will check with my brothers to see if they know what happened to it.
DeleteThat is very cool!
ReplyDeleteI was quite surprised to hear the interview and had forgotten about the painting.
DeleteSuch a great story! Too bad you don't have that painting. Perhaps you'll find out through the family what happened to it.
ReplyDeleteThat is nice to go back in time, listening to the radio. Sad your mother didn't like the painting.
ReplyDeleteHi Red, I did look at the website and the painting is exactly like you described. Now, if you are like me, you'll probably spend a lot of time trying to find the painting your dad purchased. Good luck to you on that! It may well be worth a pretty penny ... check out this link to see one for sale http://www.usedregina.com/classified-ad/LEVINE-FLEXHAUG-PAINTING-signed-14-x-10-Oil-on-Board-FRAMED_24883738
ReplyDelete400 bucks aint bad! I'm sure Dad paid less than 10 bucks . I'm not sure if this painting has survived but I will search.
DeleteWow! I was just going to ask if you still had the painting but I see others beat me to it. I hope you find it!
ReplyDeletei love that your parents disagreed over the painting. :)
ReplyDeleteWell, gosh! Now you've got a famous painting from the series that he did. That is really cool! You can never tell with paintings.
ReplyDeleteWe found a big old dilapidated painting in our attic in Illinois that a dealer in California bought from us for $1000. We even warned them that it was in bad shape, but he wanted it. We still think it's pretty amazing. The artist was Frederick Schafer. You can never tell.