Up And Away By Skelton

By Darla McCammon
Guest Columnist

Who said this?  “Recipe for a happy marriage.  My wife and I always hold hands.  If I let go, she shops!”

Red Skelton is the self-taught artist for this week and the comedian who captured the heart of millions of Americans with one-liners and characters that elicited laughter.

Skelton was born in poverty in Vincennes and led a talented life, rising to great acclaim for his acting, comedy, and art skills. Skelton’s father was a circus clown but his son, Red would not know him, as his father died shortly before Red Skelton was born. His mother, Ida Mae was the household help, then mother to Red.

Skelton began working as a newspaper boy at age 7. He also became familiar with, and experienced in, the same circus that had employed his father.

His mother had sparked his interest in art and kept him provided with drawing materials and various papers where he could paint and draw, remarkably on his own with no training. By the time he was 15 years old, he left home to become known by the proprietors for medicine shows, traveling vaudeville acts, circuses, minstrel shows, burlesque, and showboats. He moved to, then began performing in, Kansas City in 1930 when he met Edna Stillwell, who became a partner in their successful vaudeville act. They married and later divorced 13 years later, but maintained a business relationship.

Skelton’s career as an entertainer began flourishing. He created characters that America loved. Without any training other than his own experimentation and improvement, Skelton developed a talent in many levels and mediums of art. His clown faces were exceptional and still fetch a high price in auctions today. He was also gifted in landscapes and used unusual surfaces for his work such as board or linen. In addition to paper or canvas,

The rest of the story about Red Skelton will be continued in next week’s column.

Events

Midwest Museum of American Art in Elkhart — Master Photographer Clyde Butcher. Beginning May 6 through July 16. Located at 429 S. Main St. in Elkhart. $10 for adults. Call (574) 293-6660.

Ford Meter Box Calendar Competition — deadline to submit work is Friday, June 2. Contact Tanya Denney at [email protected].

Lakeland Art Center & Gallery — The gallery is currently exhibiting the work of Hilarie Couture: Unity with Variety. Hours 11:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. Wednesday through Saturday. Admission is free. The gallery is located at 302 E. Winona Ave. in Warsaw. Email [email protected].

Warsaw City Hall Art Gallery: Kim Lanoue: featured exhibitor Warsaw City Hall Art Gallery, 102 S. Buffalo Street in Warsaw. Open from 8 a.m. to  4 p.m. Daily free admission. To exhibit or subscribe contact Darla McCammon, Curator, at (574) 527-4044. Leave a message or email [email protected].