Bruce Fleming Jepson late 1930's, early 40's. Bruce at his drawing table. Photo taken at the first Woodman of the world building in Omaha, Nebraska.

 

 

 

 

 

 

My Favorite Photo

This is one of my favorite photographs of Bruce. I think he was probably at the height of his career at this point. I believe this photo to be one of great influence on my mother, as well as the rest of the family. Even long after his death, he inspired all of us growing up. Bruce's experience in army training changed him, but this photo shows his personality before the war. He had great ambitions. He would pursue the best that life had to offer. Notice the ship in the back ground. He also loved sailing and fishing. While stationed in Florida, he was able to spend time with family, many of them old family fisherman. Bruce enjoyed memorable fishing excursions with them.

Lasting Inspiration

 

Grace used Bruce's Grumbacher pastels from the 1940's and beyond. I still have some of these pastels. I don't recommend using vintage. The old pastels were toxic. Most newly made are safer to use. Isn't this a pretty picture of an artist's life and journey!?! 

 

My mother, Grace used Bruce's art table through the years, as well as his personal set of Grumbacher pastels for her fashion illustration and portraiture. I think that he continued long after his untimely death to be her teacher and her inspiration throughout her life. She would often try her hand at some of the pieces that he did, without any expectation of achieving his quality and expertise. She just would occasionally try to go there; the unachievable, the impossible, she would at least try. He was her and her sister's ideal in perfection, their master in illustration and painting. He had achieved so much in his short life. What he was unable to achieve was always on their minds, what might have been. What would his achievements have brought him and how would it have affected them. They were certain Bruce would have furthered his career as an artist. My mother always said she just wanted him to be  remembered as a gifted artist with life long ambitions, and the love and care he had for his mother and his sisters. She would also repeatedly point out that he didn't have to go to war. It was his desire to go and fight. He volunteered to serve. The family was extremely proud of that.