Assistance Please ! ! !
- Lifestyles
- Travel & Leisure
- Art & Entertainment
Author: Ward Whitley
Released 30 June 2003
A college buddy of mine from University Texas at Arlington, circa 1964, has asked for assistance in locating information on paintings he has inherited from his deceased aunt and uncle.
Shirlee Blank
In particular, he is looking for names and addresses of the painters, spouses or surviving children.
It appears these were probably done by Aramco employees or spouses.
Georgene "Somebody"
His name is Gaston Grady Early, PhD Texas A&M, retired as head of Math and Computer Science departments at Southwest Texas University in San Marcos, Texas.
His aunt and uncle were Willard (Bill) and Agnes Drumm who lived most all of their career in Ras Tanura (1950 -1970). From what I can recall, Bill was for years the head of District Personnel in RT.
The following information is provided by Gaston Grady Early. Names on the paintings are as follows:
We have identified one painting in his possession as having been done by Shirlee Blank, wife of Herb, circa 1970.
"Sumbart"
This picture is another "amateur" painting done in '65 by, I assume, another Aramco wife. No convenient last name on this one like on Shirlee's painting. Georgene Somebody.
This painting looks like it's done by a much more accomplished artist, but I can't for the life of me tell from the signature what the artist's name is. Closest I can come is 'Sumbart'. Also done in '65. May also be another Aramco wife???, but a better artist than Shirlee and Georgene.
My aunt also had a Saudi Arabia map which she must have been pretty proud of because she had it framed. It was done by Helen Helbach in 1953.
If you can assist in identifying the painter or providing any more information to those who may be able to do this it will be appreciated.
Thanks for your assistance!!!
Helen Helbach
Ward Whitley
RT 1956
Retiree 1994
Please e-mail info@aramcoexpats.com with any names, e-mails or addresses of the painter, spouse or surviving children of the artists.
We will let our readers know who the artists are when we receive your help! Thank you.