WALTER MCDONALD

Born Feb. 13, 1903 in Laurel MS.

High school years were spent in Hattiesburg, MS where his best friend was well-known author, James Street, who wrote the book made into a movie, Tap Roots, and a number of other books.  McDonald won a presidential writing award winning out over his friend, James Street.

McDonald was very athletic and was selected for a traveling gymnastics team.  He enjoyed walking on his hands on rooftops in order to draw a crowd.  However, his first love was art.  Family members reported that he drew with his finger in the dirt while crawling before he could walk.

After High School he attended the Chicago Institute of Fine Arts, where he financed his studies as a sign painter.  After his studies he opened a scenic company in Laurel, MS.  Tragically, the highly combustible paint thinners caused the scenic company to burn down.  This was in the days before insurance plans so everything was lost.  After regrouping, Texarkana was mentioned as a four states area, and since he had to start over, Texarkana was chosen for the renewed effort.

McDonald started the Star Scenic Co. in Texarkana and became involved with the local Little Theater for which he designed sets.  He was also active with the Boys’ Club through his membership in the Optimist Club.  At the Boys’ Club he taught gymnastics and tumbling.

In 1934, soon after moving to Texarkana, he married Lourita Hall of Caruthersville, MO.  And in 1938 daughter, Nancy Lou, was born.

During WWII his age kept him out of the service so he managed his good friend Byron Stanhope’s billboard ad business while Byron was serving his country.

Stage scenery became too repetitive for his artistic talents so McDonald took money from his investments to finance further study in fine arts.  This time he chose to study in New York City.  In order to send money home to his family he worked for an advertising agency located at 230 East 51st Street.  One of his assignments included designing the centennial posters for Detroit, MI.  His success at the agency landed a very tempting offer if he would stay.  However, the work was not really the fine arts he so desired and, after a year, he returned to Texarkana to begin a lifetime career in fine arts.

McDonald was chosen, after a national search, to paint the portrait of the Virginia state superintendent of schools.  The family of the man remained friends with McDonald until his death in1991.  Each summer they invited McDonald to visit and planned “Meet the Artist” parties introducing him to Washington inner circles and treating him to visits of his favorite place, the Washington Fine Arts Gallery at the Smithsonian.

Other outstanding accomplishments included a painting of Will Rogers which hung in the Tulsa Will Rogers Memorial Museum, a bluebonnet scene in the Lyndon Johnson Memorial Library in Austin, the portrait of Henry Moore in the Moore House Museum in Texarkana, and various awards including the Grumbacher Artist Award.

All of his portraits and paintings were special to this artist.  He once remarked that he was shielding his mouth for fear of breathing in the subject’s face while working on a portrait.  All of his subjects were very real to him as he painted.

McDonald would say that his greatest achievement was the “Sermon on the Mount” mural on the First Methodist Church chapel wall.  He painted it in memory of his beloved Lourita who preceded him in death.  The symbolism in the mural is typical of the artist’s faith and his sense of humor.  Three symbols include the river symbolizing the living spirit, the rock representing one’s faith, and the last one of a donkey who is looking away in boredom, symbolizing those who will not listen to the work of God.

McDonald taught Sunday school at First Methodist for many years and served on various church boards. He was also a member of the Texarkana Chamber of Commerce.

Walter McDonald passed away on January 19, 1991.

Written and submitted by his daughter Nancy McDonald Redmond