Lock - Desert Magazine of the Southwest

French artist Braque's technique for
mixing sand with gesso to achieve relief
textures, Samuelson's method is
controllable and conforms to a purposeful
design. It is also permanent
and may be whacked with a hammer
and not chip.
Currently he is experimenting with
transparent oils and a wipe-off process.
Revolutionary changes are coming
about in art, Samuelson predicts.
Newly developed paints will handle
like oil, yet dry as quickly as water
color and mix with other mediums.
Opportunities will be unlimited, but
Samuelson warns against their use to
achieve special affects. "Techniques
are created to fill a need," he advises.
Moonlight Riders from the collection of Tom Griffing, Palm Springs
"There should be an emotional reason,
or purpose, not just a desire to
shock, be different, or show off a
new trick."
Possibly Samuelson's preoccupation
with texture results from a near-tragedy
which could have devastated his
career. Six years ago he was totally
blind.
After coming to Los Angeles in
1945, Samuelson worked as a commercial
artist in an advertising firm
by day and pursued his fine arts career
at night. Gradually his vision blurred,
his overworked eyes hemorrhaged
blood and he became blind. Doctor's
couldn't arrive at a cause, until he
traveled to Phoenix to consult with a
specialist there. This doctor recommended
a five year rest with continual
eye exercies which, he warned,
would show no result for two years.
Samuelson followed instructions
without question. After two years his
vision improved to the extent that he
was able to build himself a bed in
the rumble seat compartment of an
old Packard, stock it with enough
water colors and canned food to last
six months, and tour through 8000
miles of Mexico. During that entire
time he slept on a board bed in his
car every night and fixed every meal,
but one, himself. For only a single
hour each day he unpacked his water
colors and painted. This took dis-
March, 1964 / Desert Magazine / 43