Elmer Plummer Red Headed Burlesque Performer (Betty Jane Rowland) 1941 P2197
We are so excited to have this terrific painting by Elmer Plummer. It, and the girl, are both knock-outs. Plummer, truly one of California painting's best kept secrets, is justly noted for his watercolors and landscapes, but it is his women that drive us wild. A great American original.
We are also very sure that the subject is the celebrated stripper Betty Rowland, known as the Ball of Fire for her red hair (and daring), who just passed away at the age of 104. Betty Jane Rowland (January 23, 1916 – April 3, 2022) was an American burlesque dance and actress, with a career spanning over eight decades. She was the last living performer of the "Golden Age of Burlesque" era.
Framed 20 3/4" x 25". Watercolor and dry brush technique.
Elmer Plummer (1910-1987) Born: Redlands, CA; Studied: Chouinard Art Institute (Los Angeles); Member: California Water Color Society. Elmer Plummer grew up in Redlands, California. Studied with Millard Sheets when he attended the Chouinard Art Institute during the late 1920s.
Plummer soon became close friends with Walt Disney and worked at the Disney Studios. He produced art and developed many of the gag and comic ideas for cartoon shorts featuring Goofy. Some of the feature films he contributed to include Fantasia, Dumbo and The Three Caballeros.
During the 1930s, he produced many outstanding California Style regionalist watercolors. He often chose to depict city scenes with cars, buildings and people. They were sold at Los Angeles art galleries and established in West Coast art shows.
After World War II, Plummer continued working on special projects for Walt Disney and taught art at the Chouinard Art Institute. He occasionally painted, but rarely exhibited his art after the mid-1940s.
