legacies

Posted by on May 28, 2013 in Book: Here Come the Humpbacks, Illustration | 1 comment

With Memorial Day just passed, my thoughts are thrown back to another era. I visited my Uncle Roley last week, now living in an assisted living facility in New Hampshire. He asked me to help clear out his studio, over the garage, where I found objects and ephemera from a lifetime. Roland B. Hogan, Jr. followed in his father’s artistic footsteps, becoming a commercial artist in the early 50’s.

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He was the middle son, between my Aunt Eleanor and my father, William, the baby below.

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Roley has outlived them both by decades. I encountered sweet moments dismantling his keepsakes.

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To say he didn’t throw much away is an understatement.

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He took after his father, Roland Bell Hogan, Sr., also an artist, who worked for the Boston & Maine Railroad. This illustration by my grandfather hangs at a nearby restaurant called the Station.

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Roley’s daugther, Peg, wants to keep his art work, of course. But I was happy to find a few early spot illustrations from his days as a commercial artist, living on Boylston Street in Boston.

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I also found lots of old art supplies and unused sketchpads and tracing paper.

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Quite a treasured haul of vintage ephemera, too.

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From sports programs to show card techniques, there’s much to love.

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Both my dad and Roley were Shriners, wonder if one of these was my dad’s.

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I found quite a variety of instruments.

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Roley used to have an act, called The Whistler, in which he painted his stomach and well…I never saw it, but it’s family legend.

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Uncle Roley has been an inspiration and role model all my life. As an artist, an illustrator, and selfless giver. Very early in my illustration career, I drew him for this piece for the Boston Globe. Can’t remember the purpose.

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I managed to score this carving by Roley. Love!

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I gave a copy of Here Come the Humpbacks to Roley. After all, he sent me photos of a whale watch trip he took in Nova Scotia years ago. They provided reference for this illustration.

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I’m getting excited about my book launch for this book…THIS SATURDAY! I’m super pleased that Odyssey Whale Watch will be donating a family trip. So come and win a chance for a whale watch of your own!

I know Roley will be there in spirit.

 

 

One Comment

  1. What a happy assignment from him to you and for those of us who enjoy sharing your experience.

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