I have spent several days with fellow alums and Barbara Bradley's daughters slowly going through the contents of her studio. In stark contrast to the two alums' studios featured earlier, here is her palette, and taboret, which followed her out from her days at Cooper Studios! Her last rinse of the watercolor brush was still in the jar and was awaiting her return. So silent and sad. So amazing and miraculous, though, was opening drawers full of drawings, paintings, and watercolors on par with the best anywhere. I hope that there will be exhibitions and books out as she was a prodigious producer and the work must be seen. I imagine her, arriving upstairs, and having Al Parker take off his hat to her!

My dear friends, it is with a very heavy heart that I share the news that Barbara Bradley passed away this afternoon. I am reminded of a quote that I read at the house of an acquaintance of mine, "When someone you love love becomes a memory, memory becomes treasure". We who knew and were loved as students and friends by Barbara are rich in treasure, indeed. Rich with wisdom, rich with her nurturing and memory, and rich with our lives as artists and illustrators that her enthusiasm and instruction so helped make happen. News of memorials will be upcoming as plans firm up. My heart and deepest sympathy are with her family, her many friends, and with all of us, her "chickens" that I know she loved with a deep and abiding motherly passion.

INFORMATION UPDATE ON THE MEMORIAL:Dear Friends of Barbara Bradley,

We promised to give you an update as we learned more information about the sad news regarding Barbara. It is with deep sorrow that we announce that Barbara's husband, Neal Bradley, passed away as a result of the same unfortunate automobile accident that took Barbara's life. A private service will be held for the family.

There will be a memorial service for Barbara's extended family: former students, colleagues and many friends.

Memorial Service for Barbara Bradley
2151 Van Ness Avenue at Broadway
Former St. Brigid's Church
San Francisco, California
Thursday, June 5, 2008
7 o'clock pm

Many of you have asked about cards, flowers and donations. The family expresses their deep thanks. A scholarship has been set up by the Academy of Art University and donations may be made to the Barbara Bradley Scholarship Fund. Contributions made will be matched by the Academy of Art University. If you wish to donate, please make your check payable to Academy of Art Foundation.

Mail to:
Barbara Bradley Scholarship Fund

c/o Academy of Art University
79 New Montgomery
San Francisco, California 94105
A blog was set up last year by friends of Barbara to commemorate her receipt of the 2007 Distinguished Educator Award from the Society of Illustrators in New York. The blog, www.thankyoubarbarabradley.com has organically become something of a gathering place for remembrances, farewells, and notes to her children, Lauchlin, Glennis and Andy. Her daughter, Lauchlin, said yesterday in an email to me that she finds the notes comforting and "goes there often." The content of the blog will be compiled into a keepsake for the family.

Feel free to contact me or Marylou Domian (mdomian@williamsandhouse.com) if there is any way we can be of help to you.



Warmly,

Pam

OOOH, Old bones get creaky with time. Went to a painting group, and was talking with an old friend who remarked that despite his efforts at reinvention, his old self still came through in his painting. We laughed and then, when I stepped back from this piece five hours later, MY old self was right there in the paint strokes. It FELT great to be painting from the model, much the same as it feels great paining en plein air, but what I saw was the old Chuck Pyle in the paint application...