Wednesday, April 24, 2019

Ada G. Budell
artist and illustrator


     Ada Budell was born in Westfield. She studied at the Art Students' League of New York with George Bridgeman, Frank V. Dumont, Joseph Pennell, and others. She also studied in Europe for portrait painting with Kops, portrait painter to the Queen of Saxony in Dresden.

     She illustrated childrens' books for a number of years--- stories and fairy tales for supplementary readers used in the United States and Philippine schools; readers published by Newson & Co., New York; Atkinson Menzer, Chicago, and Southern Publishing Co. in Dallas, Tex.; and gift books and music books published by Dodd Mead, Moffat Yard and Schirmer. Subsequently she painted many commissioned portraits in oils and pastels, devoting her time to this branch of art in conjunction with teaching.

     Ada Budell is a member of the National Association of Women Painters, Inc. American Artists Professional League, Westfield Art Association, Plainfield Art Association.

     She has exhibited in the National Academy of Design, American Water Color Society, New York Water Color Club, Architectural League of New York, American Etchers, National Association of Women Artists, National Art Club, and major exhibitions thru-out the country.

     Among her awards art: Art Center of the Oranges, 1927, honorable mention, pastel, "Girl in Red"; Art Center of the Oranges, 1931, honorable mention, water color portrait; Contemporary New Jersey Gallery, finals 1932, second prize, decoration in oils, "West Indies"; Contemporary New Jersey Gallery, Westfield Art Association, 1933, first jury award, water color, portrait; Contemporary New Jersey Gallery, Westfield Art Association, 1935, honorable mention, still life; Contemporary New Jersey Gallery, Westfield Art Association, 1936, second jury award, water color, "Alcantara Bridge, Toledo, Spain."

     New Jersey Gallery, Union County week exhibit, 1940, second jury award, oils, "Rafaello"; Plainfield Art Association, 1941, first prize, "Ballet Step"; Plainfield Art Association, 1946, third prize, pastels, "Leslie Jo"; American Water Color Society, 1950, first prize, pastel, "Young Russian Girl"; Plainfield Art Association, 1951, first award, pastel, "Marney"; National Association of Women Artists, 1952, Grumbacher prize, "Marney in Red," pastel; Beckley Perforating Co, 1946, five portraits of war workers and their machines, portrait of Clinton Gilpin, the president of the company, (all hanging in the plant).

     She had worked in the museum, Asbury Park. "Young Russian Girl"; State House, Trenton, 32 large panels for the New Jersey State Department of Health, gold medal, and many private collections.

     Both Hortense (her sister) and Ada Budell are listed in "Who's Who in Art and Artists of New Jersey" by Lolita W. Flockart and "American Art Annual," "Art and Artists of New Jersey."

                                           The Westfield (N.J.) Leader, Thursday, November 8, 1956