Mary E. Hutchinson’s “Don Sheldon”
October 27, 2012 § 1 Comment
Mary E. Hutchinson’s portrait of her friend “Don Sheldon” (1950) is currently featured on my digital catalogue site at http://meh.omeka.net. Hutchinson and Sheldon became friends after she moved away from New York and back to her home town, Atlanta, in 1945. I believe that Sheldon was a window dresser for Rich’s Department Store who later attempted a career as a stand-up comedian.
Hutchinson exhibited the painting in 1953 at a New York exhibition of Georgia artists sponsored by the National Association of Women Artists which she had been a member of since 1934.
However, she painted the work in 1950 – and it is one of the few paintings with direct documentation for exactly when she painted it. A series of snapshot photos dated 1950 show Hutchinson working at her easel.
Jae Turner 
Captivating. I especially appreciate seeing the sketched form. Thanks.