Howard Pyle studio- Wilmington, Delaware
Pyle Studio circa 1906
Acclaimed artists that studied in the shadow of Pyle include N.C. Wyeth, Frank Schoonover, Harvey Dunn and Jessie Wilcox Smith. During my cross country trip to Hartford to attend my final summer MFA session, Ron Spears and I arrived unannounced, but were graciously given a tour by current caretaker and occupant, artist Carolyn Anderson.
Stepping into the Pyle studio , one could sense the history and imagine the many late night lectures and critiques that took place there and in the adjoining studio space that Pyle constructed to accommodate his top students. Pyle was a consummate craftsman and teacher with a penchant for storytelling and hyperbole. On more than one occasion, Pyle stressed the importance of getting inside your work, breathing life into it. "When I was painting this picture of a battle'" he once told a class of students, referring to his painting The Battle of Nashville, " I felt the reality so vividly that I occasionally had to go to the door of the studio and breathe fresh air to clear my lungs of powder and smoke!"
Main room inside the Howard Pyle studio
Student Frank Schoonover once recalled visiting the master one evening in which he was painting "The Battle of Bunker Hill". The painting seemed nearly finished but when he and Stanley Arthurs returned the next day, they were shocked to see a new canvas with a different composition on the easel. He asked what had happened and Pyle replied that he had taken the canvas to the boiler room and burned it because he "couldn't smell the smoke". He then reinforced that "You have to smell the smoke." Good advice to this day. If you happen to be in the Wilmington area, swing by the Pyle Studio on Franklin Street between Thirteenth Street and Delaware Avenue. Then go to the Delaware Art Museum and see the largest public collection of Pyle work in existence. You won't be disappointed.
6 comments:
It's a beautiful studio.
Good times!
Greg,
Great informative post. Will be visisting Wilmington this summer on my way to vacation spot in Bethany Beach DE. Looking forward to stopping by Pyle's Studio. How exciting. Love his work and yours.
Wow, I love that studio. It's gorgeous!
I know- studio envy huh? Giselle, be sure to hit the Delaware Art Museum and Check out Frank Schoonover's studio at 1616 N Rodney Street in Wilmington as well. I am sure you can schedule a visit with grandson John Schoonover (302-656-0135) who still owns the place and runs a gallery there- very cool as well.
Thanks for the info Greg. Will definitely take your advice!
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