There are no diary comments realted to this painting as are many of RSW's earliest paintings.
This painting was one of 7 paintings to exhibit at RSW's alma mater Bradley Polytechnic Institute's 7th
Annual Art Exhibition in 1919. Though he did not attend the event, it would be a triumphant return to Peoria in spirit. Bradley was very important to Woodward, he earned
his high diploma (1904)from the school and remain there for another two years as a teaching assistant in Literature while taking college prepatory classes. He would leave Peoria
in May of 1906 to join his parents in Los Angeles, CA. Three months later, on Labor Day morning he and his friends (many his Bradley friends such as, Victor West,
Joseph Cowell and Fred Bourland) would return from a weekend of camping. Getting cleaned up to go to
breakfast with his parents, Woodward while removing a sweater over his holstered revolver accidentally caused the gun to discharge. The accident would leave him paralysed
from the chest down for the remainder of his life.
It would also be his friends from Bradley who would be with him through thick and thin. They would also be instrumental
in helping him raise the money to board a train to Boston to attend the Boston Museum School of Fine Arts.
"...of these probably the strongest is Out of the Mist, two small beech trees standing alone with their brilliant yellow winter leaves against a misty forest in which the evergreens are dominant. The friendliness and cheer of the beeches and the mystery of the forest gives a human quality to the picture which is unusual for one of its class, and the coloring and technique are fine."
To the left: A clipping from the Peoria Journal Transcript April 20, 1919 introducing the upcoming exhibition.
This article is wonderful for its wealth of information! While it introduces the show, it spends a majority of its space on Woodward, claiming, "The exhibition has been greatly
enriched this year by the collection of seven canvases contributed by Robert Strong Woodward..." The writer goes on to provide us with valuable tidbits like, "... he sold his first
painting last July. Exhibited at the Boston Art Club in October... He then sent a canvas to the Winter Academy Exhibit..." All previously unknown to us prior to the discovery of this
article.
For another terrific article concering Woodward's contribution to this exhibition, please see also,
Echos of the Past by Chas T. Lambert, published in the Peoria Star on the closing
day of the show, April 27, 1919. The article is far too large to include on this page. The article is a glowing feature specifically on Woodward. It includes recollections of his time at
Bradley and leaves us wondering if Chas. was a classmate and friend.
This painting is privately owned.