Botke: Santa Paula Art Museum exhibit showcases famous couple
February 18, 2011
By Peggy Kelly
Santa Paula News
From the comments at the opening of “The Artist’s Eye: The Working Life of Jessie Arms Botke and Cornelis Botke,” the famous wife and husband team of artists were like family members at many Santa Paula households.
As a matter of fact, either Jessie Arms or Cornelis - or both - were seen daily, or at least the work of the famous artists, now the focus of a special exhibit at the Santa Paula Art Museum.
Long acknowledged as Santa Paula’s preeminent artists, the Botkes were celebrated at the January 22 opening of the exhibit co-curated by Museum Director Jennifer Heighton, Museum Educator Meg Phelps and the artists’ granddaughter, Kitty Botke Seemel. The exhibit provides a rare look into the artistic preparation, working methods and creativity of the artists, in both collaborative and individual artworks. The exhibit features sketches, preliminary drawings and studies alongside finished works that show the scope of work that made - and keeps - the Botkes famous.
At the reception Anne Graumlich was chatting with Ann Perez, and both recounted how they “grew up” with Botkes in the homes of relatives. The Jessie Arms Botke painting, said Graumlich, “was like a childhood friend,” always in attendance at any gathering.
“You just got used to seeing it. It was always there,” but never taken for granted, Perez said of the Jessie Arms Botke in the household she frequented.
Heighton said the exhibit is “breathtaking” and unusual for its scope of works, as well as the glimpse it gives into the artistic lives of the Botkes, who lived and worked in a Santa Paula canyon area. The couple were co-founders of the Santa Paula Art & Photography Show in 1937, the longest such juried exhibit in the state.
Although the Botkes tackled many subjects, Jessie Arms is particularly noted for her magnificent birds - richly layered and brought to life using gold-leafed board.
Heighton said much of the exhibition materials have never been publicly displayed and include paintings from private collections, as well as fine examples of Botke works from the City of Santa Paula, The Santa Paula Elementary School District, the Santa Paula Union High School District, and the Blanchard Community Library, all part of the Santa Paula Collection. “We so appreciate the generosity of these entities, and are excited to offer an exhibit that will allow a deeper look into the work behind these Santa Paula treasures,” said Heighton.
The exhibit not only focuses on the work-product of artistic preparation, but also explores the technique, methods and artistic considerations that go into a final work of art. It is, noted Phelps, another unique aspect of this exhibit, “a fascinating side of these artists that we rarely get to see. You can really sense how their pieces evolved, what artistic ideas they were working towards, and how much work went into every piece.”
Jessie Arms Botke was characterized in 1931 by Los Angeles Times art critic Arthur Miller as being “ample, warm, motherly; her mind vigorous as a well-rooted oak, [with] Rabelaisian chuckles in her throat” to match her strong humor.
A native of Chicago, born in 1883, Jessie Arms Botke was considered the greatest decorative painter of the West - a true accomplishment in an art world then dominated by men. Her predilection for white birds, pelicans, geese, ducks, cockatoos and white peacocks inspired her to a high level of artistry.
Cornelis, a native of Holland born in 1887, gained special recognition for his etchings, although he was usually cast in a supporting role to his impressive wife. They were married in 1915 and had been together for almost 40 years when Cornelis passed away in 1954. Jessie lived until 1971, still living on the Wheeler Canyon ranch she and Cornelis had shared since 1929.
Throughout the run of the exhibit, lectures, gallery talks, tours and special presentations will focus on the Botkes and their artistry. Details for these events can be found on the Museum website as they are scheduled. The exhibit will run until June 5.
Museum hours are Wednesday through Saturday, 10 a.m. to 4 p.m., and Sunday, noon to 4 p.m. The Museum is located at 117 N. 10th Street. For more information call 805-525-5554, or email info@santapaulaartmuseum.org.
