GRACE SPAULDING JOHN (American/Texan 1890-1972) A PAINTING, "The Lighted Candle," 1923, oil on artist board, signed L/L, verso titled and dated typed label. 24 1/2" x 21" Note: Grace Spaulding John was born on February 10, 1890 in Battle Creek Michigan but by age 13 her family moved to Beaumont Texas where her father became the editor of the Beaumont Enterprise. It was here that she had her first art lessons under the tutelage of Penelope Lingan and later attended the Chicago Art Institute, the Art Students League of N.Y.C and the Pennsylvania Academy of Fine Art. Afterwards she returned to Texas where she married a prominent Houston attorney, Alfred Morgan John a great grandson of Sam Houston. John became known for her oils, watercolors, Italian frescoes, etchings and lithographs as well as printing in various mediums. The Museum of Fine Arts Houston recognized her with a solo exhibition, one of the first for that institution. In 1930 she organized the Houston Artists' Gallery in the basement of the Beaconsfield Hotel on Main street - the first professional artists' gallery in Houston. Source