ARTIST: Jack R Meyers (Louisiana, 1930 - 1994)
NAME: Watermelon Mischief
MEDIUM: oil on canvas board
CONDITION: Very good. No visible inpaint under UV light.
SIGHT SIZE: 5 x 7 inches / 12 x 17 cm
FRAME SIZE: unframed
SIGNATURE: lower left
CATEGORY: antique vintage painting
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SKU#: 119892
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BIOGRAPHY:
Jack Meyers and Pete Fountain were both born in 1930 in New Orleans. While Fountain began his life's work as a clarinetist at a very early age, Meyers studied at Southeastern Louisiana University and became a sales representative before taking up painting. A self-taught artist, Meyers sketched and took photographs of local buildings, which he later used as reference material for his paintings.Rendering his works in the preferred medium of acrylic, Meyers once said, "The real art of living, I believe, is blending equally the past, present, and concern for the future. Real art should reflect principle."The depiction of Fountain's Walking Club's 25th anniversary clearly demonstrates Meyers' desire to preserve this historic New Orleans event for future generations; it was made into the 25th anniversary poster for the Club. While he had initially taken up the clarinet to help expand his lungs for medical reasons, Fountain soon learned to combine the sounds of his idols, such as Benny Goodman and Irving Fazola, with his own distinctive technique. By the late 1950s, he had become a New Orleans legend and opened his own nightclub. In 1961, Fountain began marching informally on Mardi Gras Day with his band; over the years they named themselves the Half Fast Walking Club. The original route began at a tavern on St. Charles Avenue and ended up on Bourbon Street at Pete Fountain's Night Club. In the 1970s, the parade's route changed to its present course; it now begins at Commander's Palace on Washington Avenue and ends at the Hilton Riverside Hotel. The club members dress up every year with different themed costumes such as American Indians, Frenchmen, Vikings, and Pirates.The scene in Meyers' painting depicts Fountain and his walking club concluding their march at Pete Fountain's Night Club, although the surrounding architecture is fictionalized. The banner carried by a member of the club indicates that this is the 25th anniversary of the Half Fast Walking Club. The members seem to have forgone their costumes this year in favor of white tuxedos with tails and top hats. Fountain is prominently placed with his clarinet in the center of this 1986 celebration of the 25th anniversary of the Half Fast Walking Club. The 50th anniversary will take place in 2011.