June Turning 21

June returned home this weekend, 61 years ago, and her impending 21^st birthday was certainly on her mind.  Born in Patchogue, Long Island on January 25, 1929, she had grown to be a charming young woman, artistically talented and very in love.

June at two months, 1929.

June in Patchogue, circa 1934.

“I used to play with toys and dolls, but my favorite thing was using my imagination.  Things like being the Jungle Princess.  That was half my young life.  I used to love to climb trees.  There was one tree that we called the Candy Factory Tree.  It was in the back of the factory yard right near my house, and it was this beautiful big tree that I could climb.  While all the kids enjoyed climbing it, I was up near the top nearly all the time.  And I just loved it.  Of course, I wanted to rule the roost and so I was the Jungle Princess.”

-- from June’s recordings of family stories, 2003

June with her brother Ted, circa 1939.

June, circa 1941.

June (sixth from right) played cello in the Riverhead
High School orchestra, photo taken circa 1945.

June in her late teens, circa 1947.

(On Monday, lonesome in the city.)

© 2011 Lee Price

On Good Behavior

Thursday, January 19, 1950

20 Cooper Street

Southampton, NY

Dear June,

This will just be a short note.  I hope you’ll get this early tomorrow.

Homework for Partida School of Arts
by Art Price.  (Detail of textures at
top of today's entry.)

I was in Riverhead yesterday to get my new license plates.  I didn’t stop at your house though.  It was getting late and I wanted to get home and get the plates on before dark.  I went to Partida’s Art School last night, had a pretty good lesson, and came home right after.  I’m certainly on good behavior, aren’t I?

Tonight I’ll see the new Mickey Rooney movie.  And tomorrow night you’ll be in my arms and I’ll be in heaven.

Take care of yourself.  I love you.

Lots of love,

Art

(On Saturday, celebrating June turning 21.) 

© 2011 Lee Price

Heavy Reading

Sketch of a book by Art Price.

Wednesday, January 18, 1950

20 Cooper Street

Southampton, NY

Dearest June:

Good morning.  It’s cloudy and windy outside but a beautiful day for me because I just got a letter from you.  You had me worried at the start of the letter but it had a happy (P.S.) ending.  I’m looking forward to Friday night and don’t you disappoint me.

I stayed home again last night while my folks went to see a Danny Kaye movie.  I started and finished the third assignment in my current lesson.  Then I read a book till after midnight.  Heavy reading, too – Modern Arms and Free Men by Vannevar Bush.  Tonight I plan to go to the Partida Art School for the first time since last fall.

About Bruno:  He was over Mary’s house on Friday, took her out on Saturday night, took her to the train station – but still insists it’s all through.  I honestly think it really is, too.

Take care of yourself and be careful in those subways.  I love you, darling.

Love

Art

(Tomorrow – back to the art school grind.)

© 2011 Lee Price

Asleep in my Chair

Charcoal sketch of Art's father by Art Price.

Tuesday, January 17, 1950

20 Cooper Street

Southampton, NY

Dearest June:

I slipped up and didn’t write last night but you should get this just as early anyway.  I tried to do some artwork last night but was too sleepy, then I tried to read and fell sound asleep in my chair.  So I gave up and went to bed before 10 without having written to you.  I hope you’ll forgive me.  Yesterday was a pretty busy day but today has been quiet so far.  I’m home for lunch now.  I’ll mail this on my way back to Roulston’s.

I’m thinking of you and eagerly waiting for Friday night.  I love you.  I’m expecting a letter tomorrow – I hope I won’t be disappointed.  I hope you weren’t too late to school.

Are you getting lots of work done?  If you felt like I did last night, I guess you didn’t get much done.  I’m going to try and accomplish something tonight.

I’ll keep this short as I’ll be writing again tonight.  I should have more to say then.  For now, I’ll just say I love you again and so long for now, sweetheart,

Lots of love,

Art

(Tomorrow – heavy reading.)

© 2011 Lee Price

Negotiating Weekends and Vacations

Monday, January 16, 1950

46 West 83rd Street, Apt. 7B
New York City

Dear Art,

I don’t feel like doing a darn thing.  Today at school I found out that there are three more weeks of school until our next vacation instead of two like I thought.  I’m very unhappy.  I also found out I have more work to do.  Since there are three more weeks of school I really should wait until the weekend after this to go home.  But I guess I won’t.

Portrait (unknown subject)
by June Anderson.

I had such a good time over the weekend that I hated to leave.  I enjoyed myself so much – I hope you did the same.  Has Bruno seen Mary again?

Art, darling, I’m so sleepy I can’t even write in my normal low-intelligent way.  All I can think of is that I’m tired and I have so much homework and I don’t want to do any of it and I shouldn’t go home this weekend but I want to.  Maybe after a good night’s sleep I’ll be able to write you a nicer letter tomorrow.

Until then,

Love (all of it),

June

P.S.  It is 11:30 and I feel much better now.  I worked on homework and couldn’t actually accomplish a thing.  It was Shirl who finally cheered me up.  She announced out of the blue sky that she’s going home this weekend.  How my spirits soared!  I don’t know why she decided to and I’m not going to ask – she might think it over and change her mind.  I’ll leave well enough alone.  I hate to have the feeling of chasing her home every weekend.  You know how I feel about you, so take good care of yourself.

Love,

June

(Tomorrow – Art's charcoal sketch of home life.)

© 2011 Lee Price

A Fight Broke Out

Art in uniform, circa 1945.

While Art’s attendance at the Partida School of Arts in Southampton was somewhat erratic, his work appears to have been appreciated by his teacher Elena Partida.  Two of Art's pictures from this time may give some indication as to the influence of the Partida School on his work.


Art watched a fight break out about ship while in the Navy and it made a lasting impression on him.  We don’t know when he attempted to capture the fight in his art the first time.  He may have sketched it minutes afterward, while taking a break from his work as Quartermaster, Third Class, on a minesweeper in the South Pacific.  Or this first version that we have – dated September 21, 1949 – may have been his first, done entirely from memory.

The fight, first version by Art Price.

Art returned to this image again while still at the Partida School.  With the second picture, Art has significantly changed his approach, aiming to capture the color and feel of the moment.  The sudden violence is emphasized.  The people are more varied in their responses (in fact, they're different people!) and the action more brutal.  I love the breaking table!

The fight, second version, watercolor by Art Price.

Art continued attending art classes at the Partida School of Arts throughout his courtship with June.

(On Monday, negotiating weekends and vacations.)

© 2011 Lee Price

A Date Mid-Week

Bird sketch by Art Price.

Thursday, January 12, 1950

20 Cooper Street

Southampton, NY

Dearest June:

As you can see I got home all right.  I left the city about 9 this morning and got home at noon.  I stopped in Riverhead for a minute on the way through.  Your mother was hoping I’d call to let her know how you were.  I told her you didn’t think you’d be home this week.

I’ve had a wonderful time these last two trips into the city.  Just being with you is wonderful.  In fact, I think you’re pretty wonderful yourself.  I miss you already.  I’ll count the days till your home again.

I went to work at one and worked pretty hard all afternoon.  After missing so much time, I felt that I really should.  Tonight, I went to the movies to see Tell It to the Judge with Roz Russell and Robert Cummings.  It was a comedy, quite good but it would have been much better with you.  I came right home afterward.

Just like I told you, after the holidays the boys slow down.  Bruno’s been home by 10 every night this week (so far).  He’s been in pretty bad shape the last few weeks, and I’m a little concerned because I hear Mary’s coming home this weekend.

Don’t worry about me this weekend.  I’ll take it easy.  In fact, maybe I won’t go out at all.  All the time I’m out I think of you and wish you were here.  I love you very much.

Good night for now, sweetheart,

Lots of love,

Art

(On Saturday, a memorable fight remembered.)

© 2011 Lee Price