Paintings From Karen Lemes' Collection

 

Ruth Abernethy, Hostel Manager at Hidden Villa from 1956 to approximately 1961, was the mother of Jean Weeks and Sally Mixer who lived near Hidden Villa. Her third daughter Ann Lindquist moved to Los Altos in 1962. Karen Lindquist was her oldest of nine grandchildren.

In St. Paul, Ruth Abernethy had headed the Arts Project for WPA, established an interior decorating service, founded and served as executive director of the St. Paul Council of Human Relations, and was the publicity director for the Minnesota Historical Society. She had begun taking watercolor painting classes in the 1950s. When she moved to California, she enjoyed her new hobby in the company of other painting companions.

The following paintings from 1956 through the 1960s are from the collection of Karen Lindquist Lemes. The first two paintings are the work of University of Minnesota art professor and friend Jo Lutz Rollins. The other watercolors are the work of Ruth Nichols Abernethy (1889-1979).

 

(#9821)   In 1957 I lived in a tent and Ruthie lived in a trailer on the top of Rhus Ridge Road.

A second trailer at the right was used as a guest room by University of Minnesota art professor Jo Rollins who painted this scene.

 

(#9823)   Ruthie’s friend Jo Rollins, painted this view from Rhus Ridge Road. Stanford’s Hoover Tower can be seen in the distance.

 

(#9824)   Ruthie’s self portrait in her usual painting garb.

 

(#9826)   The view across Steinmann’s field at Hidden Villa looking toward “The Kremlin” with its red roof.

 

(#9828)   I love this painting of John and my first home at Hidden Villa, down near the gate.

 

(#9830)   Another view of “The Kremlin.”

 

(#9834)   The cherry tree at its prime near the greenhouse

 

(#9835)   Hidden Villa’s barn before addition of the goat pens

 

(#9836)   The view from the Youth Hostel looking toward the tin barn.

 

(#9838)   An unknown barn and outbuildings with a view of Elephant Mountain at Hidden Villa

 

(#9842)   Herman Steinmann in the cabbage patch.

 

(#9843)   This unfinished painting captures the huge live oak in front of our home at 27271 Moody Road in 1972.