Bird Sculpture

My friend who works at the thrift store where I got this said, "I don't know about that one, Andy....." but I thought it was pretty interesting anyway (and I bought it on store credit, so that's not really money, right?).

What do you think?

measures 20" (51cm) tall; signed Nellie A. Rucker of Kentfield Calif. (Marin County, apparently), and dated 6/21/51

Thanks for any and all comments.

 

According to Google, she's mentioned here https://newspaperarchive.com/san-rafael-daily-independent-journal-nov-22-1962-p-11/ (and a few other issues of the San Rafael Daily) but you need to subscribe to read it (free trial, but you need to give credit card info, and stop the free trial in time, or else you will be stuck with a year long subscription...)

 

Yeah thanks Marote. I saw that but didn't want to pay. The best I can tell is she was a teacher of some sort, so maybe an amateur artist too.... ?

 

One of the Google results for one of the San Rafael pages shows:
"Nellie a. Rucker of Kentfield is collaborating with him she does the Art work. Mrs. Rucker sketches in the Gine ering division at the Richmond Laboratory"
No idea who that "him" is....

And a link text for an Oakland Tribune page:
"With to do with a lecture demonstration by Nellie a. Rucker of Kentfield exemplifying the Overall Holiday decorations concept that. Great seasonal such As ."

 

You can read about her here in the California Digital Newspaper Collection. Free.

https://cdnc.ucr.edu/?a=q&results=1&deq=&e=------195-en--20--1--txt-txIN-"nellie+a.+rucker"-------

Debora

 

Thanks again @Marote and thanks as always @Debora.

So the Marin Society of Artists... sounds fancy. Perhaps one of those groups of local people building capacity for the arts, and not necessarily professional artists themselves.

 

In the 1950 census, she is 52 and gives her occupation as sculptor. One of the California newspapers found in the link above featured her in this article:



Debora

 

Wow-- great sleuthing Debora! Sculptor as a primary occupation!

 

https://www.marinsocietyofartists.org/
A non profit organization since 1927.

 

Engineering?

 

Really cool bird although my first thought was the 'spy' from Mad magazine comics!

 

I thing it is supposed to be a Pelican?

Mikey

 

Yep, pelican. Plenty to be found in the Bay Area.

Debora

 

Oh my gosh you're right!

 

We used to live in that area,and Marin County is a very affluent county directly north of San Francisco.We went to art shows at the Marin Art & Garden Center in Ross,CA-super cultured community. Their city hall and surrounding buildings were one of Frank Lloyd Wright's last commissions.
Also went to several ethnic antiquities shows there-nothing newer than 1930's allowed,spectacular $$$ stuff .

 

Lovely area. Highly desirable.

Debora

 

Spot on Debora ! We lived in Santa Rosa (Sonoma County), about 20 minutes from the Marin Co. border,even in the 60's & 70's the difference in property prices was shocking.
Haven't checked precise stats,but in the 60's (very rough guess) would put a S. Rosa house at 12-15K,Marin 25-40K...nuts.
PS-Now the Marin 'city mice' moved North and prices have become more equalized.They all began wanting 'Wine Country Estates'.

 

First I thought Pelican, then I saw the Spy vs Spy beak. Hilarious! I'm sure she didn't envision that.