William Allen Bixler

Chalk Talk Made Easy William Allen Bixler

One does not need to be an artist to use the crayon successfully. Chalk talking is an art in itself, and by a little practice any speaker can increase his ability 100 per cent. William A. Bixler, the artist-author, has produced at his easel a crayon sketch of the boy Christ kneeling on the seashore, his face toward the rising sun, imploring his heavenly Father for assistance to prepare himself for his lifework, unmindful of the cross reflected in the shadow on the sand. Mr. Bixler, a devout father, has always shown a keen interest in children and young people. He has written hundreds of articles and nature stories for publication and is also the author of books having a large circulation. For years he has demonstrated the use of crayon at religious and social gatherings. The title of "Riley Artist" was given Mr. Bixler for his work in connection with paintings of James Whitcomb Riley's "Old Swimmin' Hole" and the life-size bronze statue of Riley erected in Greenfield, Ind., in 1918. It was in 1912 that Mr. Bixler produced a painting in oil of the famous spot for the poet Riley. Then a committee of Greenfield citizens determined to erect a bronze statue in honor of Mr. Riley and they retained Mr. Bixler to make oil paintings of the "Old Swimmin' Hole" for schools throughout the Union that would contribute toward the monument fund. During the following six years over 5,000 canvases of the noted spot were produced for that purpose by Mr. Bixler, the "Riley Artist." The Anderson (Ind.) Herald, November 26, 1918, said of Mr. Bixler: "Without any question, Mr. Bixler has more paintings hanging in the schools of the United States than any other living artist." The Long Beach (Calif.) Telegram, 1927, says: "The outstanding feature of Mr. Bixler's program is his drawing. In a few moments he transforms a blank canvas into a charming landscape. Mr. Bixler is an artist of national fame, known particularly for his painting of the "Old Swimmin' Hole'."