OUR ILLUSTRATIONS.

Otago Witness, Issue 2545, 24 December 1902, Page 7 (Supplement)

OUR ILLUSTRATIONS.

1. " Part of E. W. Payton's Studio." — This photo shows us the artist in his studio. Here there is no pretence at work, for Mr Payton is plainly taking his ease, and resting from the " hard graft " of an art master, of which his surroundings speak all too plainly ; for here we have no ferns,

softness. A long bridge cuts this glassy surface in twain, and affords a fine bit of perspective, carrying the eye naturally back to the low wooded hills in the distance. To the l-ight a clump of dark bush gives the necessary relief to the brightness of sky and water. 3. " Waste Land." — A dense mass of bush and marsh land interspersed with pools of stagnant water. Over all the grey sky of a late afternoon, every ray of light being caught by the pools and held there in dazzling brightness. " Waste Land " is an autumn out-door painting, and direct transcript from nature, with little to catch the eye of the mere lover of stereotyped beauty. 4. " Mt. Egmont."' — An attractive glimpse of the snow-capped giant of Taranaki. A bright morning effect, full of sunlight and fresh air. In the middle distance the river flowing towards the spectator gives a fine stretch of perspective ; the horses crossing it, give life and motion, and the partly cleared bush on the right hints at the presence of man and strenuous pioneer work. It is indeed a charming picture, full of lighfc and life, of motion, and the joy of life. 5. " Flood on the Pokaiwhenua." — In striking contrast to our last example, we have here nature in one of her sternest moods — cold, grey, threatening. A swirl of rushing storm water tearing over great boulders, between banks of dense bush, closely overhung by a heavy, sullen sky, which says as plainly as possible that the rain is not over yet; that there is more to come. The water is admirably done, and true to nature ; but this is not one of the pictures that appeal to the outside world.

" I think pa hasn't got much money this year," said her little brother. " What makes you think so? " asked his little sister. " 'Cause he was telling me that it wasn't right to impose on Santa Claus just because the old fellow was goodnatured."