RSW's Diary Comments

"Painted in May 1938. A painting of apple trees in full bloom, road and mountain valley (the best of my blossom pictures I feel in its strength), on the Putts Hill Road above the upper George Bailey Farm, across from my Buckland studio. Sold thru the Grand Central Art Galleries, Dec., 1949, to Mr. Shelling Busch."

Comments on the back of a sepia print:

"One of my most successful blossom pictures in its technique and effect."

♦ The barn in the painting burned down many years ago. (per: Dr. Mark)

The cover of the 1931 AFA exhibit for
Kansas City, MI, March, 19 • 20 • 21

Editor's Note:

We cannot disagree with Woodward's assessment of this painting's "strength." Even from the sepia print we can imagine its brilliant coloring. For such an amazing canvas, there are so many questions, such as, "Where was it for eleven years from the time it was made to the time it sold?"

This is when we wish Woodward cared more about his painting diary and that he would elaborate more. His personal diaries are the same way, little to no explanation or description of something he merely mentions as a brief statement of fact and nothing else.

From what we know about other instances where paintings disappear for years. It could be one of the following: He lent it to a business like a hotel to be featured prominently. Think, the Myles Standish Hotel lobby or restaurant in Boston, or he lent it a prominent patron in hopes they would buy it or help sell it... One thing we are sure of is that it exhibited somewhere before the GCAG in 1949. Perhaps, it was chosen to tour the country with the traveling American Federation of Art (AFA) program. An honor Woodward hardly gave enough credit to. We only know about from one instance where he named it because he did not have to insure the painting- it was insured by the AFA while in their possession. Otherwise, he would simply say something to the effect, "... traveled about the country," in the diary entry.