PresidentOil
Late Artist William Mix's Special Interest in US Presidents: Spilled onto Canvas
George Washington, as depicted above in an Oil with Mixed Media Collage painting by William J. Mix, did not become the first President of the United States until about a decade after he read the Declaration of Independence to his troops.
William Mix loved to capture with his brush moments of historical value… Moments that perhaps could easily be forgotten with the passage of time. These events were monumental to our country, of course—but also were leaps and bounds in the lives of these human beings who became what we refer to as our forefathers.
My father always completed extensive study on each subject he depicted… every minute detail—and it shows in his work.
So, for a little dedication in the name of President’s Day this year let’s turn our attention toward a few of those presidents which my father depicted with oil on canvas during the early 1980’s.
Below, we have President Thomas McKinley in a scene that shows the last speech he gave. McKinley was in the second year of his second term when he gave that address at the Pan-American Exposition in Buffalo, New York on September 6, 1901. He did succumb to his injuries and died September 14, 1901. Theodore Roosevelt (not to be confused with Franklin D. Roosevelt) assumed the presidency after Mckinley’s death.
The presidential name McKinley has had a certain buzz in recent weeks as Denali in Alaska was renamed Mount McKinley after this president. I have begun an etsy shop as of yesterday that is stocked with items adorned with my father’s work. I have, just yesterday, created two different mugs honoring this president and very carefully chose which quotes of McKinley’s attribute to the side of each.
You will find more information on each of those quotes and the meaning behind them in the description of each respective item here at my newly reactivated Etsy shop. Thanks in advance for taking a gander!
And here, below, we have a painting of Abraham Lincoln before his presidency in the courtroom during his time as a lawyer.
William Mix did a large graphite drawing of every president there ever was before, and up until he was perhaps nearing 60 years old.
I am always so moved by William Mix’s drive to depict humanity, one being at a time.
My father also completed a series of bookmarks for each individual president, which I have yet to find. I know they are here in the collection, somewhere. Many needles in the haystack!
Perhaps by next President’s Day… with any luck!
Here is an oil painting I believe my father donated to a very specific organization having to do with veterans. I remember last year finding a letter addressed to him in receipt of and appreciation for his donation. I enjoy the way this piece of Franklin Delano Roosevelt (and surroundings) is rendered very much.
I have yet to review the auditory notations on this painting, but according to AI technology, “The destroyer in the background has the hull number 155, which corresponds historically to the USS Herndon (DD-198) or a similar class from that era:”
Below is another from the WWII era with Dwight D. Eisenhower and Winston Churchill.
The vehicle in front looks like a vintage Rolls-Royce, likely a 1930s Rolls-Royce Phantom or similar model, recognizable by the grille, headlights, and hood ornament. I have a little digging to do about the architectural structure in this piece. My father started his art career often with the depiction of buildings and structures. I feel he was quite proficient at their rendering.
Last, but not least, for this President’s Day 2025 I present to you, my readers… a painting of John F. Kennedy who was assassinated on November 22, 1963, in Dallas, Texas. One of his memorable quotes was actually his referencing of Franklin D. Roosevelt who first said:
”The only thing we have to fear is fear itself.”
I will leave you all with this latter thought for tonight.
I hope you all enjoy your President’s Day holiday.
We’ve got this. All we can do is what we can do.
For now and in this moment… this is my contribution to the present day… this homage to those who came before us.
All the Love,
Colleen Noelle
