Today when I checked my e-mail I found a note from Michael Bradford introducing me to a wonderful Arkansas artist,  his mother the late Marion Sue Thompson.

Marion Sue Thompson, born in Paragould in 1926, was an internationally known steamboat artist.  As a young child she showed her talent and interest for art by drawing on her Grandmothers dining room walls, much to her Grandmother's distress.  During her childhood her father would take her fishing on the Black and Little Rivers, it was during those outings that she apparently fell in love with the rivers and the boats as they made there way past the young girl.

Marion married William Bradford in 1950 and moved to Harrisburg, Michael was born in 1958.  In 1965, Marion took a art class in Harrisburg, and her pursuit to perfect her painting continued as she studied under several accomplished artists.

In 1969, one of her pen and ink drawings displayed in Little Rock brought the invitation to show her work in Paris, France.  International recognition and her interest in steamboats followed.  

Marion painted for many steamboat enthusiasts, including W.H.Tippitt, a retired steamboat captain.

For the rest of the story and to view the art of Marion visit http://www.marionsue.com

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