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Ad Code: 3
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An example of work by Orpha Mae Klinker
Artwork images are copyright of the artist or assignee
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This biography from the Archives of AskART:
|  A painter of the California and Southwestern desert, Orpha Klinker had a long list of accomplishments as a Los Angeles artist and was also a recognized portrait, historical and pioneer genre painter.
She was of German and English heritage and was born in Fairfield, Iowa, and then lived briefly on a 360 acre farm near New Sharon. Her father was a minister of the Christian Church, and through an exchange of ministries, he took his family to Chico in Northern California when she was a tiny child, and shortly after that to San Bernardino where her father founded three churches.
Growing up in that area, she loved the desert country and took an interest in the history and traditions of California. She had early art talent, which was encouraged by her mother. Orpha began her career cutting silhouettes for the May Company in Los Angeles when she was 12 years old and then went into furniture ad art with her work appearing in many newspaper advertisements.
She studied at the U.C.L.A. Art School and Cannon Art School and with Paul Lauritz and Anna Althea Hills, her first private teacher. She also became an art teacher, did silhouettes of movie stars, and created "Betty Bobbs" paper dolls. She attended the Julian and Colarossi Academies in Paris, went to New York and did illustration, and then to Philadelphia where she worked for the "Ladies Home Journal."
Returning to the West, she pursued through her art her combined interests in the desert and history. Her family became a part of this history, owning the Klinker Building, regarded as the first skyscraper Los Angeles. She did a series of portraits and talks titled "Speaking of Pioneers," and her research led her far afield into deserts of California, Utah, and Arizona where she painted the Grand Canyon. One of her portraits was of the last of the "49ers," Emanuel Speegle. She also did a series of historical scenes on china plates, now collectors' items and in 1939 designed the official seal of Los Angeles county. She did etchings of the desert, her chief source of inspiration.
She was a member of the California Art Club and the Women Painters of the West. Her studio was in her home atop the Hollywood Hills, and she worked for preservation causes including saving the stone home of Charles Lummis, noted writer and founder of the Southwest Museum. |
This biography from the Archives of AskART:
|  Born in Fairfield, IA on Nov. 20, 1891. The Klinker family moved to San Bernardino, CA when Orpha was a child. After graduating from Polytechnic High School, she studied art at UCLA, Cannon Art School, and continued in Paris at Académies Julian and Colarossi. After a year abroad, she worked in New York and Philadelphia before returning to California in 1925. She was married briefly to Wm Ooley (1921-23) and Cliff Carpenter (1932-36). Working in commercial art until middle age, she then stopped to concentrate on fine art. The subjects of her etchings and paintings include still lifes, portraits, California landmarks, and desert scenes. Honors awarded her are: Academician, American Int’l Academy, Washington, DC; Fellow, Andhra Research University of India (1940); Belgium’s Crois de Commandeur (1941); Member of Nat’l Academy of Mexico (1944); Gold Medal, University of Panama (1945); Member of Society of Fine Arts of Brazil (1948). She exhibited nationally, lectured on early California, and by 1959 had illustrated many books including Enchanted Pueblo. Klinker lived in Hollywood, CA until her death on May 23, 1964. Member: Society of American Graphic Artists; Calif. Society of Etchers; Laguna Beach AA; LA AA. Exh: Calif. State Fair, 1930; Women Painters of the West, 1934-44; Friday Morning Club (LA), 1934; USC, 1935; Calif.-Pacific Int’l Expo (San Diego), 1935; LA City Hall, 1935, 1938 (solos); Calif. Art Club, 1936; Ebell Salon (LA), 1937, 1955; Chamber of Commerce (Santa Paula), 1938; GGIE, 1939; Southwest Museum (LA), 1940 (solo); SWA, 1944; Artists of the Southwest (LA), 1948. In: City Hall (LA); Polytechnic High School (LA); MM. | Source:
Edan Hughes, "Artists in California, 1786-1940"
Who's Who in American Art 1938-62; Who's Who in California 1942; Artists of the American West (Samuels); Women Artists of the American West; Southern California Artists (Nancy Moure); Los Angeles Times, 5-25-1964 (obituary). | | Nearly 20,000 biographies can be found in Artists in California 1786-1940 by Edan Hughes and is available for sale ($150). For a full book description and order information please click here. |
| ** If you discover credit omissions or have additional information to add, please let us know at registrar@AskART.com. |
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