Modeled fun quickly done: J. Franklin Caveny

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Modeled Fun Quickly Done
J. Franklin CAVENY Artist · Sculptor · Entertainer
J. Franklin Caveny, ex-editor of The Sketch Book of the Art Institute, Chicago, a favorite student of Lorado Taft, the famous sculptor, is popular both in the United States and abroad, a master of clay and crayon.



SKETCHES FROM LIFE!  COLORFUL LANDSCAPES!  RAPID CLAY MODELING
J. FRANKLIN CAVENY, famous as a painter of popular pictures, is especially original and diverting as a platform artist.  Colorful paintings of pastel landscapes, portraits and cartoons appear under Mr. Caveny's flying fingers; a bit of clay tossed on a board, pressed and patted and there appears some droll type or the visage of one of the immortals; a glance over the audience and the image of some distinguished citizen is transferred to the paper.

Mr. Caveny is by turns amusing, eloquent, poetic and dramatic; laughter and applause are frequent and the inspiration lingers.


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Who Is Caveny?

The Summer Work Shop


The Bureau asked Mr. Caveny the above question and his modest reply is quoted:

As to my art training and work I think that point is covered, when mention is made of the fact that I was at one time Editor of Sketch Book of the Art Institute of Chicago, and that I was a favorite student of Lorado Taft.  I was Over Seas during and after the World War and entertained soldiers in France, Belgium, and later with the Army of Occupation in Germany.  My work was very popular.

Regarding the Baby Pan, it is one of a number of figures I have modeled and later had cast in bronze.  A number of my fanciful creations have proven quite popular and have had a nice sale as garden ornaments.

Caveny has his summer studio on one of Wisconsin's beautiful lakes and does many practical and artistic things of beauty there.



The Program
The curtains are drawn.  The stage picture: A large drawing board (or easel) near center of stage; on right of drawing board a draped table, and chalk and clay.  Large reproductions of Caveny's most famous paintings arranged before table, to be displayed later.  Another table on left covered with velvet drape, on which is a life-sized bronze figure of Baby Pan, blowing on pipes.  This is one of the Caveny sculptures on sale at Marshall Field and other stores.

Mr. Caveny wears a black satin smock, relieved by a warm color in his tam-o-shanter and tie.


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A few happy remarks by Mr. Caveny and he turns to his drawing board.  A sweep of the arm—one stroke—makes a perfect circle.  Colors are soon brushed in by the swiftly moving hands; the tongue is not idle.  Scenes of rare beauty grow, altered by a touch or two—perhaps it is a view of the canals and gondolas of a glittering Venice; perhaps it is a summer sunset amid colorful hills and valleys.  The summer may suddenly fade into winter; or the paper may just as suddenly be reversed, revealing a gorgeous, turbulent Niagara.  Some descriptive verse and a large frame bring the picture making to a climax.

This versatile painter is presently transformed into the versatile sculptor. The black smock is exchanged for a grey one; a new board is used, on which Mr. Caveny hastily throws a mass of modeling clay.  From this shapeless clay he molds in HIGH RELIEF the faces of a number of the immortals, also some comic types.  This work is accompanied by humorous and instructive comments that add to its interest.  Mr. Caveny presently turns from the plastic clay to display some of his finished work in bronze.

The large reproductions of the Caveny paintings take but a few minutes to exhibit and Mr. Caveny hastens to the most popular feature portion of his program.  Some distinguished person is selected from the audience and a hasty character sketch, or two, follows.

Aware that at the present time odd materials are frequently used in the making of designs and decorations, Mr. Caveny frequently adds a novelty.  From torn and shapeless rags he produces some interesting designs; from these shapeless bits he is able to produce representations of landscapes of rare beauty.

Mr. Caveny manages to sandwich into his entertaining programs some original verse, some quotations from classic literature.


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Mr. Caveny Uses a Special Public Address System






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The Folks Sez

HIGH SCHOOL, Milwaukee, Wisconsin.
Every school should have Caveny.  He pleases, inspires and instructs.  As a director of School Assembly programs I heard and saw Mr. Caveny in Chicago and at once engaged him for Milwaukee.—G. J. Balzer, Supt., Milwaukee, Wis.



TEACHERS' CONVENTION, Ashland, Wis., Sept. 4, 1934.
J. Franklin Caveny's lecture-entertainment delighted and inspired.  We never paid one hundred dollars more gladly.—Miss Agnes Boyington, Program Chairman.



DETROIT, MICHIGAN EXPOSITION, Detroit, Michigan, March 9 to 17, 1935.
The thousands of Exposition guests were delighted with your clever work.  The artistry of your drawings and clay-modeling is of the highest order.—Dr. Galen Star Ross, Platform Mgr.



CHICAGO ATHLETIC ASSOCIATION, Aug. 6, 1935
Characters created before your eyes, pastel landscapes, portraits and cartoons—immortals in crayon and clay—a glorified 'chalk-talk'!—Sam Banning, Secretary.



BLOOM TOWNSHIP HIGH SCHOOL, Chicago Heights, Ill., April 8, 1935.
The most interesting program we have had this year.  He kept our 1600 students on the edges of their chairs.—Roswell C. Puckett, Principal.



HIGH SCHOOL, Superior, Wis., Oct. 1, 1934.
A splendid program—a really outstanding attraction!—Miss Ethel Ballou, Principal.



UNION HIGH SCHOOL, Glendale, Calif.
Two thousand students highly entertained—The beautiful art work was praiseworthy, the poetry pleasing, humor really amusing, clay-modeling inspirational and the quotations glittering literary gems.  We have had many programs—none have pleased like Caveny's.—John E. Kienle, Chairman Assembly Committee.



EXECUTIVES' CLUB, Sherman Hotel Ballroom, Chicago, Feb. 15, 1935. (Recalled Mar. 2, 1935).
Mr. Caveny never fails to ring the bell!  He draws with much speed—and his comments, while working, keep the audience in a roar.—B. L. Parsons, Program Director, Executives' Club.



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