Aug 042016
 

Artist John Maybra Kilpatrick, who painted a WPA mural in Chicago in 1947, retired to Ajijic with his wife Lucy in 1964 and resided there until his death on 27 August 1972.

While living in Ajijic, Kilpatrick exhibited in the “Fiesta de Arte” group show held in May 1971 at the home of Mr and Mrs E. D. Windham (Calle 16 de Septiembre #33). More than 20 artists took part in that event, including Daphne Aluta; Mario Aluta; Beth Avary; Charles Blodgett; Antonio Cárdenas; Alan Davoll; Alice de Boton; Robert de Boton; Tom Faloon; John Frost; Dorothy Goldner; Burt Hawley; Peter Huf; Eunice (Hunt) Huf; Lona Isoard; Michael Heinichen; Gail Michel; Bert Miller; Robert Neathery; John K. Peterson; Stuart Phillips; Hudson Rose; Mary Rose; Jesús Santana; Walt Shou; Frances Showalter; Sloane; Eleanor Smart; Robert Snodgrass; and Agustín Velarde.

John Maybra Kilpatrick was born in Illinois (in either Vandalia Fayette County or Centralia Marione County) on 2 October 1902. He apparently studied at the School of the Chicago Art Institute under portraitist Hubert Ropp, the school’s then dean. Ropp is recorded as visiting friends and former students – the Kilpatricks and Al and Janet Zimmerman – in Ajijic in 1971.

John Maybra Kilpatrick became engaged to be married with Lucy Margaret Legge in December 1926. The couple had two children, a daughter born in 1931 and a son born two years later.

In 1947, Kilpatrick took part in the WPA murals project. Together with Hungarian artist Miklos Gaspar, Kilpatrick painted a mural entitled “The Children’s Hour” in Oak Terrace School, 240 Prairie Avenue, Highwood, Chicago. The mural is listed as still extant in 2001 when Mary Lackritz Gray’s book A Guide to Chicago’s Murals was published.

J. Maybra Kilpatrick. "The Gleaners" (St. Grénolé, Brittany). Image courtesy of Holly Johnson.

J. Maybra Kilpatrick. “The Gleaners” (St. Grénolé, Brittany). Image courtesy of Holly Johnson.

Kilpatrick worked as a commercial artist for the H. D. Catty Corporation of Huntly, Illinois. In 1952, the corporation applied for copyright for colored Christmas wrapping paper designed by Kilpatrick, entitled “Merry Christmas (Snow scene with 3 figures in front of houses)”.

After Kilpatrick’s passing in Ajijic in 1972, Lucy Kilpatrick is regularly mentioned in local newspapers as helping with ceramics classes in the village.

Acknowledgment

My thanks to Holly Johnson for sharing an image of Kilpatrick’s painting “The Gleaners.”

Sombrero Books welcomes comments, corrections or additional material related to any of the writers and artists featured in our series of mini-bios. Please email us or use the comments feature at the bottom of individual posts.

  6 Responses to “John Maybra Kilpatrick painted in Ajijic in the 1960s”

  1. Were you able to turn up any images of his work? I’d be interested in knowing what his motifs were and in what media (oil, watercolor etc.) he worked. What is the meaning of the red and purple or brown color of some of the names included in that large exhibit. I imagine many of the participantsare dead. Tom Faloon passed away last year I believe. Phyllis

    • No, have not yet found any work by him, though someone somewhere must have some, and I, too, would love to see it! The names in the list are live links. Clicking on one will (a) lead to a post about that artist and (b) change the color of the link so that you know you’ve already clicked on it.

    • I have a painting signed by J. Maybes kilpatrick, oil on canvas of a church, I think in France. It was acquired at estate sale near Chicago in late 60’s or 70’s. my email hilken52 @aol.com

    • Thanks for taking the time to post your comment. I would be very interested in seeing a photo of your painting, if that is possible, please, via an email to info@sombrerobooks.com
      Thanks! TB

    • Hi Phyllis,

      I saw your post, and I have what could possibly be a John Maybra Kilpatrick painting. I sent a picture of the painting to the admin, and he posted the photo online, with my permission. The painting was signed J. Maybra Kilpatrick, so it is very likely this is the same artist. I think that this painting is watercolor, from the looks of the color tones.

    • Thanks, Holly, for sending me the photo of your watercolor. I have no doubt it is by John Maybra Kilpatrick. You have a real treasure! Regards, Tony.

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