Grace Storey Putnam
“Born in San Diego, CA on March 16, 1877. At eight Grace Storey had opted to become an artist. She was a student in the art school in San Diego run by Maud McMullan when she met sculptor Arthur Putnam.” (1)
“Married to Arthur Putnam (see entry) from 1899 to 1915, after which time she supported herself and her children by giving painting and drawing lessons.” (2)
“In 1920 Putnam visited a Salvation Army day nursery in Los Angeles where she studied a 3-day old sleeping girl. Using clay she quickly worked at the baby’s side to sculpt its likeness. Putnam often remarked that she wanted the doll to be as lifelike as possible, unlike “prettier” dolls of the day. The doll was a huge success, and was distributed by the New York firm, George Borgfeldt and Company, distributors of Rose O’Neill’s Kewpies and other well-known American dolls.” (3)
“Grace married sculptor Eugene Morahan in 1927 in New York; they were divorced in 1941.” (1)
“Her last years were spent in Malibu, CA; she died there on Feb. 26, 1947.” (3)
Reference
1.
Askart Staff. Biography from the Archives of askART [internet]. [cited 2019 Aug 5]. Available from: http://www.askart.com/artist_bio/Grace_Storey_Putnam/10043641/Grace_Storey_Putnam.aspx
2.
Artprice Staff. Biography of Grace Storey PUTNAM (1877-1947) [internet]. 2019 [cited 2019 Aug 5]. Available from: https://www.artprice.com/artist/212005/grace-storey-putnam/biography
3.
To Work As A Sculptor Staff. Grace Storey Putnam [internet]. 2009 Jul 27 [cited 2019 Aug 5]. Available from: https://wirthsculpture.wordpress.com/2009/07/27/grace-storey-putnam/