[Congressional Record Volume 144, Number 130 (Friday, September 25, 1998)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E1817]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]


    IN RECOGNITION OF WORLD-RENOWED SEASCAPE ARTIST CHARLES VICKERY

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                        HON. WILLIAM O. LIPINSKI

                              of illinois

                    in the house of representatives

                       Friday, September 25, 1998

  Mr. LIPINSKI. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to pay my respects to a 
world-renowed seascape artist and outstanding member of my district, 
Mr. Charles Vickery, who passed away in La Grange, Illinois, on 
September 22, 1998.
  Charles Vickery was widely known as a local legend in Chicago's 
Western Suburbs were he lived and painted for over sixty years. He 
began his career, by studying the techniques of such artists as 
Frederick Waugh, Winslow Homer, and Anton Fisher at The Art Institute 
of Chicago and at Chicago's American Academy of Art. After he learned 
the mechanics, he received what he called his greatest instruction and 
source of inspiration, from Lake Michigan. From Lake Michigan, Charles 
Vickery learned the light effects and sea anatomy that later led him to 
be known and remembered for his ability to paint the many moods of 
water, making it come alive on the canvas.
  In 1937, at the age of twenty-four, Charles Vickery opened his first 
art studio in Western Springs, Illinois. However, his first big break 
was in 1951 when Eleanor Jewitt, a respected Chicago Tribune art 
critic, discovered one of his paintings in a Michigan Avenue art 
gallery, and acclaimed him as ``one of the great painters of this age * 
* * a bright Winslow Homer.'' The Clipper Ship Gallery in La Grange, 
Illinois, has been dedicated exclusively to Vickery's work since 1981, 
displaying his original oil paintings and publishing his collection of 
nearly 100 limited edition prints.
  Charles Vickery has received the Waters of the World Prize, the 
Pallette and Chisel Diamond Medal, awards from the North Shore Art 
Association in Gloucester, Mass., and the Union League Club Prize. 
Although, despite his many awards, the two things that satisfied 
Charles Vickery the most were bringing pleasure to the collectors of 
his work and urging other artists to further advance their abilities. 
Therefore, he was a charter member of the American Society of Marine 
Artists and a Signature Member of the Oil Painters of America.
  Mr. Speaker, Charles Vickery was revered and respected by almost 
everyone who knew his work. I offer my heartfelt sympathy and prayers 
to his family and friends. Charles Vickery will most certainly be 
missed by many close friends, collectors of his art, and innumerable 
admirers.

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