1998CRE1817 IN RECOGNITION OF WORLD-RENOWED SEASCAPE ARTIST CHARLES VICKERY
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[Congressional Record: September 25, 1998 (Extensions)]
[Page E1817]
From the Congressional Record Online via GPO Access [wais.access.gpo.gov]
[DOCID:cr25se98-45]
[[Page E1817]]
IN RECOGNITION OF WORLD-RENOWED SEASCAPE ARTIST CHARLES VICKERY
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HON. WILLIAM O. LIPINSKI
of illinois
in the house of representatives
Friday, September 25, 1998
Mr. LIPINSKI. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to pay my respects to a
world-renowed seascape artist and outstanding member of my district,
Mr. Charles Vickery, who passed away in La Grange, Illinois, on
September 22, 1998.
Charles Vickery was widely known as a local legend in Chicago's
Western Suburbs were he lived and painted for over sixty years. He
began his career, by studying the techniques of such artists as
Frederick Waugh, Winslow Homer, and Anton Fisher at The Art Institute
of Chicago and at Chicago's American Academy of Art. After he learned
the mechanics, he received what he called his greatest instruction and
source of inspiration, from Lake Michigan. From Lake Michigan, Charles
Vickery learned the light effects and sea anatomy that later led him to
be known and remembered for his ability to paint the many moods of
water, making it come alive on the canvas.
In 1937, at the age of twenty-four, Charles Vickery opened his first
art studio in Western Springs, Illinois. However, his first big break
was in 1951 when Eleanor Jewitt, a respected Chicago Tribune art
critic, discovered one of his paintings in a Michigan Avenue art
gallery, and acclaimed him as ``one of the great painters of this age *
* * a bright Winslow Homer.'' The Clipper Ship Gallery in La Grange,
Illinois, has been dedicated exclusively to Vickery's work since 1981,
displaying his original oil paintings and publishing his collection of
nearly 100 limited edition prints.
Charles Vickery has received the Waters of the World Prize, the
Pallette and Chisel Diamond Medal, awards from the North Shore Art
Association in Gloucester, Mass., and the Union League Club Prize.
Although, despite his many awards, the two things that satisfied
Charles Vickery the most were bringing pleasure to the collectors of
his work and urging other artists to further advance their abilities.
Therefore, he was a charter member of the American Society of Marine
Artists and a Signature Member of the Oil Painters of America.
Mr. Speaker, Charles Vickery was revered and respected by almost
everyone who knew his work. I offer my heartfelt sympathy and prayers
to his family and friends. Charles Vickery will most certainly be
missed by many close friends, collectors of his art, and innumerable
admirers.
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