Arizona Daily Star from Tucson, Arizona • Page 26

fridlay sluttd VV TKKae- I lie I Vs I I i mm mr- i 4 SfteAriEonapailflStar TUCSON, FRIDAY, MARCH 25, 1977 PAGE SIX SECTION 1u k.sff 131 II w-ui i I hi I a I Ii 1 1 II I II I til l-h II lllftl il I i i a T. iii" i iiif i ii i 'z. m. -fc. mm at ma mm Mortimer Wilson i VL7 St ft jj If Inspired by his heroes, he keeps painting full time at 71 By JACQI TULLY The Arizona Daily Star The painter talks knowledgeably and vivaciously about the old masters who have most influenced his work, like Velasquez cut Titian to a Goya and Franz Hals.

When Wilson describes their paintings, the images seem to come alive. His own paintings, unlike much Southwesten art, reflect the influence of the Impressionists. He points to a Degas print, explaining how he used the French artist's techniques with light, shadow and structure to create similar effects in several of his own pieces. Wilson has always lived in the world of artists. His father was the long-time conductor of the Atlanta Symphony and "a celebrated composer.

I can't play one instrument," he laughs. "But," he adds, "music is like painting, only with painting you're the composer and the performer." Wilson, who has lived in Arizona since 1956, His wife died about 18 months ago, and he lives alone, rises early and paints from 9 a.m. until 5 p.m. His enthusiasm for the old masters keeps his work vital and his regular hours keep him in professional shape. "If you don't paint regularly, you lose the performing side of it," he said.

"Painting is a point of view. If you look at it that way then you'll find it necessary to paint daily." He sighs. "Today well, this generation they're just not made conscious of heroes." Wilson looks at a Degas print, then around the studio filled with desert light. His eyes crinkle and he shakes his cane. "We had heroes then.

That's why we painted." He laughs in good-natured glee. "Why, that's why I still paint." spent five years at the Art Students League in New York, then went on to become a successful magazine illustrator in the 40's. "Back then," he says, "if you wanted a girlfriend, her father was apt to think twice about his daughter getting involved with an artist. That's why I went into illustrating. I wanted to get married." He did marry, and spent nearly 10 years as a magazine painter and illustrator with Colliers, Good-house, and Cosmopolitan.

Wilson became one of the highest paid illustrators in the world, but was forced to end that profession when he temporarily lost sight in one eye. "It's stable now, I think," he sighs. After his New York stint, he and his wife, Jean, moved to Arizona, living first in Tumacacori and then seven years ago settling in Tubac. Mortimer Wilson Jr. was born in the Midwest, raised in the South, spent years in New York, lives in Tubac and paints like a European.

The 71-year-old artist, whose latest exhibit opens today at O'Brien's Emporium in Scottsdale, sits in his sunny Tubac studio, a two-story structure filled with Italian desks, dusty art books, rows of brushes, prints of his favorite Degas paintings, a 10-foot-high easel, French wood chairs, a piano, several clarinets, and a tiny, wide-eyed dog that resembles a furry javelina. Wilson leans over the polished antique table, the corners of his brilliant, pale blue eyes crinkled in enthusiasm. He grins a toothless smile and waves his hands toward shelves of books. Hi I NwsMft Una! CHINESE BUFFET A (J now Now Serving All You Can Eat LUNCH 1 99 DINNER 349 TAKE OUT ORDERS ALSO AVAILABLE Open 7 Days A Week Lunch 1 1 pm Dinner 4 pm-9 pm 1145N. ALVERNON 325-5353 MARCH 2526 the new Doubletree Grand Ballroom 8 AND 10:30 P.M.

RESERVED SEATS $5 BANYAN TREE DINNER SHOW $12 ADVANCED TICKETS ON SALE AT FRONT DESK. DOUBLETREE INN. 445 S. Alvernon WayTucsonAnzona'881-420085711 LL ALL-BRAHMS CONCERT We said it and we're glad. Los Yentesjs numero years, for one thing.

Today is our first birthday, and we're celebrating for a month. It's a big, joyous anniversary, because in that one year we really have become numero uno in Mexican restaurants. The Mariachis Cobre numero uno among strolling musicians are helping us celebrate with their greatest show ever, every Thursday, Friday and Saturday night. Come in for one of our famous meals or buffets of unusual Mexican and American specialties, order an exotic drink and help us celebrate our "Feliz Cumpleafios." featuring the mmun IN ENGLISH Karen Clauss, soprano Larry Day, baritone UA Choral Association Community Chorus also ACADEMIC FESTIVAL OVERTURE VARIATIONS ON A THEME BY HAYDN MARCH 25 268 P.M. TCC Music Hall else can you sip a "Jar of Margaritas" between hustles or your favorite drink in our Mason Jar Doubles'? The Jammer disco stays lively until 1 a.m.

Monday-Saturday. Boogie on over tonight. We want to make you happy. I i The Jammer disco at the Marriott is no so-so disco. Sure we have crowd-pleasing music on a super quadraphonic sound system.

Sure we have a warm, congenial atmosphere where you can boogie or just watch. But what other disco has complimentary hors d'oeuvres and drinks during cocktail hour 4:30 pm Monday-Friday? Where MlfARESmiTafACTIA Tickets $4 to $7 at all TCC outlets and at the door Secluded in the courtyard of the El Capri Shoppes (7000 E. Tanque Verde at Sabino Canyon Road) Open every day from 1 1 a m. Live mariachis Sat nights Phone 886-8288 Home catering and facilities for private parties jrj after 7 P.M. Harriott.

HOTEL pa 180 W. BROADWAY 624-8711 yAWAWAWAW.