Who Knew, So Many People Know About A.B. Wright...?

 Who knew?

Certainly not me.

I'm relatively new to our local congregation. I haven't been to the meetinghouse as much as I normally would, due to covid and all, but I try and go every week. Yesterday, as I walked through the halls on my way to the chapel, I noticed a painting. Funny, how I never saw or acknowledged the painting before because it's a BIG painting. It's so big, the only way I could get most of it in one shot was to stand off to the side and hope for the best.

This particular meetinghouse is of cultural significance to the community. It's almost 100 years old so when I saw the painting it seemed normal for a significant piece of art to be found inside. I spotted the signature in the painting's lower right corner, snapped another picture, and thought it might be a good "Pic Of The Day" candidate.

So, last night I posted the picture, then did a little research on A.B. Wright.

Whoa!

Wasn't expecting what I found.

I also wasn't expecting the response I received on social media. Turns out, many know much more about the artist than I did. I found an article written years ago from the Salt Lake Tribune about Alma B. Wright You can access the story by clicking: HERE. Since much of his famous (or, infamous...) exploits are in the story, I won't go into detail here. Needless to say, he led a colorful life.

I have many social media friends, several of whom are artists. They knew who he was. I even had a friend who is a descendant of the artist and own original art from the man. That is very cool.

When I started posting a picture a day on social media back in 2011, I just thought it would be a fun thing to do. Actually, I wanted to make sure I didn't lose my love of photography by forcing me to take at least one picture every day. I didn't know I'd find out about some important Utah history and how the art--and artist--are viewed today.

Reflections Of The Artist David Merrill...

When you grow up in small(ish) town, you get to know almost everyone and those you don't know, you know that you don't know them. Of course, now, in this world in improved technology and communication, there's people I don't even know in my own neighborhood.

But back then, we knew who lived in the house on the corner, or the widow who lived in the small rock house built by pioneers. And in one rock house, there lived a man who painted. His name was David Merrill.

Not only was he a painter, but he was active in the community. A church and civil leader, he was very well respected. Plus, he was the only one I knew personally who's son won an Academy Award. Come to think of it, he's still the only person I've ever met who's son won an Oscar.

Being an artist, my brother and I went to the art studio built next to his house and passed off our Boy Scout art merit badges. My brother kept up with the art-thing, even getting his degree in it. I dabbled in art, but it was always my brother's thing. I got into writing.

I thought about our past neighbor when I went to my semi-annual dentist's visit last week. Our dentist renovated a nineteenth-century hotel into a beautiful office building and on the walls he has several David Merrill originals. Seeing them brought back memories of me riding my bike my friend Kerry's or Steve's houses. They lived on the same block as the painter and many of the homes look pretty much the same. When I got home I did a google search for "David Merrill Artist." There's quite a few artists out there with that name.

Art captures not only the scene for eternity, but also memories of the artist. We see the world through their eyes and they remind us of what it means to create. It's only my opinion, but I think when we create something, we're as close to becoming deity as possible on this planet. He really was a talented man.