Topic starter
16/10/2008 2:33 pm
The Magnolia Belle was once known as the Border Star owned by Capt. Jack Trotter of Little Rock, Arkansas. The race spoken of on her page was on the Ohio River between the Border Star and the Delta Queen in 1971. I have documentation of a race between the Delta Queen and the Border Star taking place on the Arkansas River between the two boats. This race appears to have taken place in 1972 but in actuality there were two raceson the Arkansas River between these two boats. My mother, Marion Sue Bradford, later Marion Sue Thompson was commissioned to do a painting of this race by then owner of the Border Start and the Delta Queen. The Border Star ran our of Little Rock for several years. Just a small piece of history in Marion Sue's large collection of steamboat history.
Magnolia Belle | steamboats.org
16/10/2008 2:39 pm
Mike: Your mother was not only a wonderful artist, but also a gracious, genteel and true southern lady! It was a privilege to know her and I treasure the painting of the Str. MISSISSIPPI that she so kindly gave me some years ago.
Thanks for your posting and keep up steam!
Keith
Topic starter
16/10/2008 3:28 pm
[QUOTE=Keith Norrington;13120]Mike: Your mother was not only a wonderful artist, but also a gracious, genteel and true southern lady! It was a privilege to know her and I treasure the painting of the Str. MISSISSIPPI that she gave me some years ago.
Thanks for your posting and keep up steam!
Keith: Thank you for the kind words about mom. Even how you have wonderfully described her, not only being a mother was her best role in life to me, she was also my best friend As bad as I miss her I do know live goes on. I can hear her now saying, what are you waiting on son? The new www.marionsue.com is just around the bend and more of her works will come out for others to see and purchase. We're putting several in print and are keeping the print numbers low. In time, more and more will revealed. Thank You Keith and I am so glad you are have of at least one of her paintings.
16/10/2008 4:54 pm
Mike: Your mom and I talked at a long ago S&D meeting about my interest in the Str. MISSISSIPPI (now the BECKY THATCHER) and she told me about a couple of paintings she had done of the boat. One of them was part of a collection of her works in a seafood restaurant somewhere in Mississippi that had closed and she was hopeful of getting the paintings back, although I don't think this ever happened if memory serves me correctly. Time passed and one day I received a note from her, telling me that she had been clearing out her storage room and had found the other painting she'd done of the MISSISSIPPI in 1969. She generously sent it to me as a gift, but said it really didn't please her and she'd like to do another one for me later. Well, when the big package arrived, I could hardly wait to open it and there in the packing was a WONDERFUL painting, all framed and ready to hang -- and the colors go perfectly with the decor in the family room where it's displayed! It took me some time to convince your mom that I really LOVED that painting and there was absolutely NO reason to do another one! She was so funny!
Besides the painting of the MISSISSIPPI, I do have some of her prints, including a small one of the towboat SPRAGUE and some packets. I'm so glad you are making her art available to appreciative collectors. I know she would be pleased! Thanks!
16/10/2008 8:31 pm
Did your mother ever do any prints of the Natchez? I'm always on the lookout for anything Natchez that we don't sell in the gift shop.
Topic starter
16/10/2008 9:16 pm
Magnolia Belle
Matthew
Which Natchez are you referring to? There are a few or you can email me at [email protected]
16/10/2008 9:54 pm
I'm sorry. I should have clarified. I meant the current Natchez.
Topic starter
17/10/2008 7:59 pm
Magnolia Bell
Yes, a current Nathez does exist. It is not with the few that are coming online in the beginning but will be coming.
17/10/2008 8:02 pm
Nice, well I'll have to check that out when it does come online. Thank you
Topic starter
05/01/2009 2:16 pm
Which Prints Keith
Keith, I tried emailing you direct but didn't hear from you. Are the prints you have Kinko prints? She did several of those and I have quite a few of them as well that she did. We are not doing the same kind and are offering the prints in the original size, either Giclee Canvas for her oils and Giclee paper for her watercolors. Actually I have a Sprague painting and wonder if that print you have is of this painting. It has not been shown yet along with several others. If you have a photograph of that print please email it to me at [email protected] or if you prefer I will email you a photo of the one I have but need a email address to do this.
Thanks
Mike