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Paul Scarborough dies

Popular Chadds Ford artist Paul Scarborough died in the early hours of Monday, Feb. 3. He was 69.

He is survived by his long-time friend and companion Barbara Moore, director of the Chadds Ford Gallery, her children and grandchildren to whom he will always be “Grampa Skip.”

Born in Claymont, he became well known for landscapes with his signature element, a cardinal. At each of his exhibitions, knowing fans would always play “find the cardinal.” In a 2009 interview with Chadds Ford Live, he said the cardinal was his own self-representation, a way of putting himself in his paintings.

A former draftsman and member of the pipefitters union, his interest in art began in the third grade and developed over the years. Part of his professional development paralleled the use of the cardinal, he said at the time of that 2009 interview.

“When I paint something, I paint it with the thought of living it. I paint something that I feel is a part of my traveling in the local area. My style has developed to a point where, I think, it’s become a much more personal look at the way I see things in the local landscape. This has been distilling down for a number of years,” he said. “I want to make a person get absorbed into the painting and not just look at it and miss the thought I was trying to put into it.”

Mr. Scarborough underwent cancer surgery at Fox Chase in the fall of 2013, yet attended the opening of his own exhibition the next night via the video/computer technology of Skype.

Some of his work will be on display at the gallery in the exhibit “energy” beginning Feb. 7.

Visitation is planned for 6-8 p.m., Wednesday, Feb. 12 at the Gebhart Funeral Home in Claymont. In lieu of flowers, people are asked to make a donation to the Brandywine Battlefield Park Associates, PO Box 202, Chadds Ford PA 10317.

His obituary can be found here.

Reader Comments from Facebook

Kathryne Arroyo OMG. One of the nicest people you would ever meet. Kind and generous. I am stunned

Alex Razze Another Chadds Ford icon, I will always love your art Paul. RIP

Colin Courtney Loved his last show.

Scott Hamilton I have many fond memories of fishing trips with Mr. Paul (as we called him) when I was a kid. What a terrible loss.

Hamilton Chris Love you Mr. Paul. Rest in peace.

Peggy Hecksher Such a gentle man. We treasure our paintings of yours. You will be greatly missed!

Molly Dixon Loved his paintings and playing “find the cardinal”

Nanette Meyers Houser So very sorry to hear – what a great man and artist!

Nancy Griffin-Gober OMG. I have a painting he gave me. Loved when he came in to the chadds Ford Wawa was one of the nicest person and a great artist.

Margaret Deibert Tifer So young, he will be sadly missed. My Condolences to his Family & Friends..

Rita Lamb Thompson Very sad. Such a great talent lost.

John A. Koninis Sr. My condolences to Barbara and family. Paul and I have been friends for many years,I will miss our coffee every Friday John & Stacy

About Rich Schwartzman

Rich Schwartzman has been reporting on events in the greater Chadds Ford area since September 2001 when he became the founding editor of The Chadds Ford Post. In April 2009 he became managing editor of ChaddsFordLive. He is also an award-winning photographer.

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Technology brings Scarborough to CF Gallery

Paul-w-Ed-&-Kathy — Technology brings Scarborough to CF Gallery

The modern computer video technology of Skype allowed hospitalized artist Paul Scarborough to join fans attending the opening of the latest exhibit “Scarborough Fair – Four Seasons” at the Chadds Ford Gallery.

The exhibit opened Oct. 11, two days after Scarborough underwent surgery at Fox Chase.

Rosemary Biegs, center, is one of the many Paul Scarborough who wanted to talk with him.

Using Skype, a two-way video system, the popular artist told gallery visitors that he was feeling fine and would be back to painting as soon as possible.

Scarborough’s work is always popular at the gallery. He’s the biggest seller there, according to owner Jackie Winther, who said the shop has hosted at least 10 Scarborough Fairs. His openings are well attended and fans always flock around him. This year, though, they were flocking around a laptop computer to offer well wishes.

“It was great; it was special,” Winther said of technology that allowed Scarborough to “be there.”

Artist Paul Scarborough waves via Skype from his hospital bed to friends Ed and Kathy Wandersee who were among the many who attended the opening of Scarborough Fair at the Chadds Ford Gallery.

Former Pennsbury Township Supervisor Karen Wood has known Scarborough for 14 years and has watched his work grow over that period.

“Paul is a preeminently dedicated artist,” she said. “He keeps growing and growing in his abilities and he keeps coming up with fresh ideas. I feel very fortunate to know him.”

Wood is one of the fans who enjoys trying to find the cardinal, the bird that Scarborough hides in almost all of his paintings. She said she’s pretty good at finding them, though she admits to having missed a few.

She was also impressed with the ability to talk with Scarborough via Skype. Wood said she agrees with a comment she heard that it was interesting to see modern technology merging with traditional art, bringing the artist to his own opening.

“To not have him here was going to be very difficult because he’s supposed to be here. He’s always at his shows, and there he is, in a form that we can accept and relate to and let him know we’re just thrilled with his work and he has a little sense of being here himself,” Wood said.

Other artists also appreciate Scarborough’s work. One, Barbara Tlush of Chadds Ford.

“I’m very impressed. He’s always been a magnificent artist and I’ve watched him evolve over the years. He’s still blossoming. His work is beautiful,” Tlush said.

She added that one of the most influential aspects of Scarborough’s work is that he still goes out and does plein air work, painting outside from start to finish.

“It’s great to see that and it’s inspiring to all of us because it seems to be a lost art. Paul has kept with it and he’s mastering it,” Tlush said.

“Scarborough Fair – Four Seasons” runs through Oct. 27. The Chadds Ford Gallery will also host a plein air event on Saturday, Oct. 19.