| 517. Will Vawter (American, 1871-1941), “Brown County Landscape”, c.1920; oil/canvas, 20" x 24", signed, original frame. Vawter grew up in Greenfield, Indiana, and began his artistic career as an illustrator. He began illustrating books for James Whitcomb Riley, a successful poet, and another Greenfield resident, in 1893. He married in 1906, and then moved to Brown County in 1908. For the next fifteen years, Vawter received regular commissions for magazine illustrations. In 1923, he was divorced, and moved into a small apartment and studio in downtown Nashville. It was here that he became more involved in oil painting, and in 1925, he exhibited and won the prize for best winter scene at the first Hoosier Salon. He also exhibited at the Women’s Department Club Gallery (Indianapolis); Lieber Gallery; Chicago Gallery Association; and the Brown County Art Gallery Association. He was well-known for his colorful, loosely painted landscapes and was a central figure to the Brown County group of artists. 8,000-10,000 |
