"Cracking Finger Joints"

Artist and Her South Seas Models

THE well-known Australian artist Miss Mary Edwards returned to Aus tralia in May, after four months in Fiji, Tonga, Samoa and New Hebrides.

“Painting in the South Seas is not what it was,” she told reporters. “The high cost of models is not the only thing which has made the change; fees are

five times as much as they used to be, but, in addition, you have to offer such in ducements as taxis to and from the job.

The models can offer more excuses than anybody else I know for not appearing on time, and often wasted time takes up 90 per cent, of what should be working hours.

“The natives like modelling less and less because they no longer want the money.

Their wants are still comparatively few, but wages are high because, primarily, of

the high price of copra. Only the first few minutes of their sitting time is of much use, for they then become so bored that all the likeable qualities for which they were selected have disappeared.

“When they are at the end of their interest and patience they crack their finger-joints, and I have had that signal all over the East where I have painted natives from India to remote islands in the South Seas. Of all sounds, it is the one I can bear the least.”

Miss Edwards said that the most attrac tive model she had during her tour was a Taveuni bride, who was dressed for the occasion by a chieftainess.