The Millstone Times January 2022

Monroe Township News | As We Age

We provide Adult Day Services For Special Needs Adults (21 years old +) The public quickly became enthralled with Moses and interest in her paint- ings grew. In 1940, she traveled with Carolyn Thomas, owner of the drugstore that first exhibited her work, to New York City where the famed Gimbels de- partment store was holding an exhibit of her paintings. As Grandma Moses' popularity grew, so did demands for her paintings and she became inundated with orders. Even celebrities, coveted her work, including Bob Hope who took his snow scene painting he purchased with him when on the road and put it up in his hotel suite to make him feel like he was home. He had another wa- terscape, by Moses, hung in a place of honor over his piano. Unable to meet the growing demand, reproductions became an effective way to ensure everyone got to have a "Grandma Moses" of their own. The Hall- mark greeting card company profited greatly from an arrangement with the artist and in 1947, created a set of holiday cards featuring reproductions of original Moses paintings. At the end of her life, Moses had sold 100 million Christmas cards. Moses' art was also turned into and inspired a wide range of other products including children's dresses, collector plates, aprons, fabrics, knitting bags, pillows, sewing boxes, and wallpaper. Perhaps the most unlikely product, giv- en Moses' simple lifestyle, was a red lipstick by the Richard Hudnut Company, referred to as "Primitive Red." By the end of the 1940s Grandma Moses' paintings had been included in more than 65 exhibits, and she had nearly 50 solo shows. Her name was a now household word in America, and after the end of World War II, her reputa- tion had spread abroad as well. By the 1950s, major American museums were acquiring a 'Grandma Moses' for their collections." She also received many accolades including a Women's National Press Club Award in 1949 that was presented to her by President Harry S. Truman. Moses' birthday parties also became major celebrations. The first, arranged as a publicity event by the Hallmark company for her 88th birthday, included a seven-foot-wide cake designed by artist and invited guest Norman Rock- well. While still quite removed f om regula and fast-paced city life, Moses initially did not know who Rockwell was. However, with much in common, both interested in illustrating everyday American life, the two became good friends and Rockwell would frequent many future birthday parties. He even depicted Moses in the crowd for his 1948 Christmas painting featured on the cover of the Saturday Evening Post, scenes for which he was particularly fa- mous. While her reputation grew, Moses remained true to the simple life she had always lived, quietly painting in her home. Kallir did however, manage to con- vince her to finally write her biography. Her memoir, Grandm Moses: My Life's History, was published in 1952 and interestingly focused little on the late years of her life as an artist and more on what she considered truly im- portant, her childhood and years raising her family. Moses continued to paint until after her 100th birthday. On that day, New York Governor Nelson Rockefeller declared "Grandma Moses Day." That same year, she took on a major project, illustrating a version of Clement Moore's, The Night Before Christmas, for Random House publishers. In the first months of 1961, Moses' health began to fail and after falling sever- al times, she was forced to live in a nu sing home. In mid-December she died peacefully in her nursing home bed at the age of 101. The loss of Grandma Moses was felt across America. Moses was headline news in papers large and small. H r ability to apture the spirit of America was reinforced by then President John F. Kennedy who upon her death made an official statement, which read, "Her passing takes away a beloved figure from American life. The directness and vividness of her paintings restored a primitive freshness to our perception of the American scene. All Americans mourn her loss. Both her work and her life helped our nation renew its pio- neer heritage and recall its roots in the countryside and on the frontier." Today her most of her paintings are valued to be over one million dollars and are showcased in museums all over the world. Continued from page 5... Call UsToday For ATour or Info! (732) 845-3332 • Free Door-to-DoorTransportation • Health Evaluations • Bi-Lingual staff • Music & PetTherapy • Educational Programs to assist & encourage independance with activities of daily living • Social Activities • Fabulous food and menu options • Recreation, Exercise,Trips to Museums, Stores, Crafts and more... Serving Monmouth, Middlesex & Ocean Residents 20 1-A Jackson Street Freehold, New Jersey We Offer Something Special Nowhere Else Found In CNJ ForYour Loved One! Active Day Adult Services Medicaid/HMO/DDD

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30 The Millstone Times

January 2022