Mary’s Voice: Posthumously Speaking 25

Detail of “Visiting Birds,”
by Geneva Metzler

Geneva Metzler’s
“Visiting Birds”

By Mary Alice Condley
(1925-2007)

Editor’s Note: In the notes on “Autumn Hues,” Mary Alice’s daughter, Karen Abbey, told us that she has a painting by her mother’s painting teacher, Geneva Metzler. Karen bought it at a showing of Geneva’s, in Sanger, California. “When I saw the picture I knew I had to have it! I think it cost $75.”

Surviving the Winter

Arkansas Primary Source Sets
University of Arkansas at Little Rock
Center for Arkansas History and Culture

14 Years Ago Today

By Moristotle

[Original publication on February 13, 2009.]

My niece Karen recently sent me a short account written by her father (Elbert O. Condley, January 31, 1918 – June 7, 2008) about a hard time in Arkansas during the Depression:

Mary’s Voice: Posthumously Speaking 20

Detail from “Autumn Hues”

Autumn Hues

By Mary Alice Condley
(1925-2007)

Editor’s Note: Today we present the first of the two of Mary Alice’s still lifes that were recently brought out of storage by her niece Dawn Stella Burke.
    But first a few words about Mary’s approach to painting, or her technique. My wife remembered Mary’s telling her that she always painted by copying other paintings – or pictures of other paintings, usually in books she owned or borrowed. That is, Mary did not paint from direct observation of the things represented. Mary’s daughter, Karen Abbey, whom I asked about Mary’s barn painting that we presented on January 23, told me:

The Last Walk

In remembrance of a dog named Gretchen

By Karen Abbey

My oldest son, Mark, lives in a mobile home park in Cayucos, California. The home next to his had been lived in for years by an older couple and their dog Gretchen. The wife died last year, so the 90-year-old man, Ray, and his dog – Gretchen, a 12-year-old Border Collie – live alone.

Mary’s Voice: Posthumously Speaking 12

(detail)

Mountain chapel

By Mary Alice Condley (1925-2007)

[Editor’s Note: A few weeks ago, my sister Mary’s daughter, Karen Abbey, came across a photograph of yet another of her mother’s paintings. “I think the picture is one of her best!” Karen reports the following note on the back of the photo:

Mary’s Voice: Posthumously Speaking 11

(detail)

Country barn

By Mary Alice Condley (1925-2007)

[Editor’s Note: Another painting of Mary Alice Condley came to the attention recently of her daughter, Karen Abbey, whom her (and my) cousins Richard & Joyce Frost told they had a painting. “Mary gave Richard & me this barn painting years ago and it proudly hangs in our hallway.”

Tuesday Voice: Posthumously Speaking 10

Detail

Morro Rock

By Mary Alice Condley (1925-2007)

[Editor’s Note: The artist’s daughter, Karen Abbey, recently brought to my attention that her oldest son, Mark Denham, has his grandmother’s painting of Morro Rock, near where Karen and her husband Cliff lived for many years, in and around Morro Bay, California. The rock is a 581-foot volcanic plug located just offshore from Morro Bay, at the entrance to Morro Bay Harbor.

Tuesday Voice: Posthumously Speaking 4

"Blue Daisies" (detail)

Paintings on request

By Mary Alice Condley (1925-2007)

[Editor's Note: Today's three paintings belong to the artist's daughter, Karen Abbey, who requested her mother to paint "Blue Daisies" & "Kettle & Oranges" especially for her.
    Two paintings in the collection of the artist's brother were shown on September 9.]

Thor's Day: If you're out there somewhere

Happy birthday, Mary Alice Condley

By Morris Dean

Today is my sister Mary Alice Condley's birthday. She would have been 89 (1925-2007). I am confident that almost everyone who knew Mary would agree with our sister Patsy's estimation of her as "the sweetest, kindest, most caring person [they] have ever known."