Page:Women of distinction.djvu/301

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WOMEN OF DISTINCTION.
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labor. And while she is well known as a crayon artist, she is kept busiest, especially holiday seasons, decorating a miscellaneous assortment of goods, Christmas and Easter cards, porcelain placques, fancy cushions, screens, plush and velvet draperies, sachets, fancy boxes, mirrors, etc. Among the portraits that established her reputation are a life-size crayon of Richard Allen, the founder of African Methodism, drawn for and exhibited at the centennial anniversary of the A. M. K. dispensation held in New York at Bethel Church, 1887; a life-size portrait of Bishop Dickerson, now in the possession of Mrs. W. B. Derrick. Her work is not confined to our people, for some time ago she made a fine likeness of Augustus Schell, the well-known financier, which was so well liked by his family that Mrs. Schell ordered it at a handsome price. Ever since she has been working among these people, one lady introducing her work to another, in such a way as to keep her employed all the time she cares to devote to the work.

Miss Spencer painted for the New Orleans exhibition a large water-color, entitled "A Summer Day in Pompeii." The rare delicacy of the work of this one picture has been claimed by many to be sufficient to sustain the name "Timid Footsteps." "The Alsatian" and a portrait of her cousin, all in water-color, are well known and admired by all who see them. A short while ago Miss Daly, her last teacher, attested her high regard for Miss Spencer as an artist by appointing her as her (Miss Daly's) assistant at her studio. Unfortunately her health, which has never been robust, failed her, and a