HELEN WANTS TO BE AN ARTIST

Shannon News, 5 October 1928, Page 4

HELEN WANTS TO BE AN ARTIST

TENNIS CHAMPION WITH BEAUTY AND BRAINS.

Helen Wills, woman’s siugles champion of England, France and the United States, is eager and willing to please. How punctiliously tins much-sought girl, who has retained a national championship for four seasons, and is now playing for her fifth, who has a reputation as a promising artist, who is an author of a book and many weekly articles of international worth, keeps her many appointments was illustrated .recently at a popular country club. “It’s time for my match now-,” she said with a quick smile, “but after the game I’ll have time to see you.” When she was seen again by a leading American lady journalist, a becoming afternoon dress of chiffon had replaced her sports apparel. She had a few minutes, she said, before a social engagement. She discussed art, the subject in which she is majoring at the University of California, where she will be a senior in December, and spoke of hei plans for an art studio after she has taken her Bachelor of Arts degree. “I don’t know just Avhcre my studio will be yet,” she said, “most probably it will be in San Francisco, or in some large centre ■where I can get models more easily than in my home town of Berkeley. I may go to Bos ton, but that is quite uncertain. At any rate what I want to do is to study and practice with my art until I am able to do something really worth while. “As a profession I have consedcred the field of fashion advertising, but what I want to do moic than anything else is the painting of portraits. Likes Futuristic Art. “I like futuristic art if it is sincere. Too often, however, persons who indulge in it are merely covering up their ignorance. There 'are certain essential facts that the good artist must know and be able to demonstrate. If the modernist has this know-ledge, shows it in his work, and is sincere in his attempts, I like him.” Talk drifted to campus life at Berkeley, where Miss Wills is a favouritein her sorority and in the campus activities in which she participates. Iti regard to her absence of last year, Miss Wills commented:

‘‘l thing it’s a good thing for any college student to stay out for a while between his sophomore and junioi years, let me say. This rest period gives him time to- think out what he wants to study most, and then when he goes back he studies these things thoroughly because he knows he must have them. I suppose what is generally recommended but I have found it to be true in my own experience at least, and I can’t see why it shouldn’t be advisable to others.” She broke off suddenly and her blue eyes began to twinkle. ‘‘ My mol her is beckoning wildly,” she said, “I suppose I’ll have to go; mother is even more particular about keeping appointments than I am, and speaking generally, I’m almost always on time. Perhaps if you would like to see me , again you could come over at (3.?<C. I have, a dinner engagement at 7.0 but L can allow a little time in between.” Miss Wills was in evening dress when she appeared once more, tier gown, dark and long, was made distinctive with a touch of red. Her hair was combed behind lmr ears and brought to a low knot "in the back of her neck. A short veil covered her head extending below the level of her eyes. Haig Patigan, who has done a bust of Miss Wills, has said of her beauty: “Her intellectual life and her artistic gift have a part in it. . .also her physical ruggedness. ’ ’ Ride and Talk Against Time. “ I stayed longer at that tea than I should have,” she began laughingly, “my guest has sent a car; suppose you ride over with me and we w-ill finish our talk on the way. I didn't want to be late. ’ ’ Settling herself against the cushions she went on. “I generally try to load a less rapid and more normal life than this. Of course, T’m always busy, but I do have certain regular habits which f try to maintain.” “ Last year, in my spare time I wrote a book on tennis, weekly articles for a syndicate, and an occasional essay But matter little what else I do I never neglect my drawing and paint ing.” The car swished around a curve, ane Miss Willis glanced over the chatfeur broad shoulder at the speedometer and clock. “Well, he know-s I’m late and mus‘ hurry, but he certainly does drive.” “I have,” she went on, “thought about writing something creative aside from the subject of tennis. I know I would like to write, but I have felt that to be successful one needed a great deal more experience than I have had. I am personally acquainted with Gertrude Atherton, whose works I particularly enjoy, and she encouraged me to try something. Perhaps I shall in time.” The car swerved sharply into a drivew r ay in the midst of a shower of pebbles, and Miss Wills caught at tlnside of the seat. “Gracious!” she gasped, disentangling herself, and went on to say she was fond of poetry. “ I w-ill have to confess,” she said demurely, “that I have written a littl6, just as everyone has, but it was done more for my personal enjoyment than anything else.” /- The car came to a stop in front of a wide verandah w-here people were waiting. “Well I seem to bo on, time.” laughed Miss Wills, and said good-bye.