An Oldtimer's Recollection of Orleans on Cape Cod
Working for Dinner
Always Better When It is Earned
Wendell Collum
A Unique Artist
Wendell hailed from the Scituate area. He moved to Orleans and had two sons, James (Jimmy) and Stuart.
Mr. Collum was known locally for, among other things, trading paintings for some liquid refreshment. It was said that his best work was done "under the weather".
He developed an unusual way of framing his work. Salvaging old, abandoned lobster pots, he used the frames of the pots (rectangular, half-round, and trapezoidal) to fasten his canvasses to.
One would expect that drinking would diminish one's skills. It did not. His Clipper Ship paintings were incredibly detailed down to the tiniest shroud or block. Unfortunately, these photos of his work do not reflect the details.
