Dreisbach-Dresbach Family Association

Clarence Ira Dreisbach - b. 1903-2001

Donald Dreisbach, son of Clarence I. Dreisbach, generously donated two of his famous father's oil paintings to the Dreisbach Family Association.  C.I. Dreisbach was best known for his paintings of the Pocono Mountains and the Pennsylvania Dutch country.  The paintings were auctioned off at the Homecoming III Reunion in Allentown to raise funds for the Dreisbach Family Association.

Awarded numerous prizes, his work is included in the permanent collections of museums, schools and many private collections.  Clarence passed away on April 26, 2001.

Date: THURSDAY, February 27, 1986, Page: N03, Edition: Z3

S. WHITEHALL MAN, 83, SEES WORLD ON CANVAS 
by  STAN SCHAFFER, The Morning Call 

Clarence I. Dreisbach of South Whitehall Township sees things differently than most people do. 

It is this ability to capture colors and scenes and put them on canvas for the enjoyment of other people that puts him in the artist category. 

Painting, mostly landscapes, fills Dreisbach's life now as it has for more than half a century. 

In more than 60 years of placing brush strokes on canvas, Dreisbach, who has been dubbed the ''artist-in-residence'' at Luther Crest Retirement Village, has painted more than 3,000 paintings and taught more than 2,000 pupils. 

''As long as I can remember, I've been painting,'' says the 83-year-old Dreisbach while relaxing in his apartment with his wife Margaret. Mrs. Dreisbach, 80, a registered nurse, was graduated from Allentown Hospital School of Nursing in 1926, and she was the nursing supervisor-medical at Allentown Hospital years ago. 

The Dreisbachs celebrated their 50th wedding anniversary last June at the retirement village. And not only has Mrs. Dreisbach influenced her husband's works, but at one time she ran their shop in the Poconos while he painted and taught. 

Dreisbach will be listed in the 18th edition of the International Directory of Arts to be published this year in Germany. He also is listed in ''Who's Who in American Art'' and ''Who's Who in Art and Antiques,'' published in London. 

''We worked together for 50 years,'' says Mrs. Dreisbach as the couple looked over the numerous paintings on hand in the craft room at Luther Crest. That room is not the only area of the Village where Dreisbach's paintings can be seen. His works hang throughout the hallways and offices of the complex. 

Most of Dreisbach's paintings are landscapes; a few of his works are portraits, and the thrust of his creativity reflects his love of landscapes. Many of the scenes contain snow that the viewer can almost feel. Other paintings reflect warm autumnal colors or the brilliancy of lilacs. A few watercolors, mainly seascapes, add to his collection. 

Born in Union Hill in the Lehighton area, Dreisbach studied with the late Orlando G. Wales. He admired Wales' landscapes. He also studied at the Baum Art School, Allentown, where he later taught. He was about 14 when he first studied painting. He was graduated from the Federal Schools in Design. He has been employed as an engineering draftsman, commercial artist and industrial designer. 

Dreisbach still believes that art opens a new world to those who practice it. 

''I think it does. The artist looks at nature in a different way.  While driving a car, for instance, I look at something and try to figure out how to paint it.'' 

Dreisbach said, ''Things taken more or less for granted are seen with a different eye by the artist, an eye more sensitive to form, color, rhythm and design. The artist through his interpretation of these qualities opens his new world to the appreciative viewer.'' 

Although success can be measured in different ways, Dreisbach says ''if an artist wants to be a monetary success, in other words make a living painting, he has to paint for people not for judges.    He has to paint what people like - something they enjoy -  something they can look at and not have to stand on their head to figure out or appreciate.'' 

Dreisbach believes a person can be trained to be an artist. The qualities needed don't have to be innate. 

''It works both ways. Some artists are born with it; some of them have to work hard at it to become a success. Once in awhile you get a student who knows just what to do,'' he says. 

Dreisbach does not teach painting; he does, however, give demonstrations at Luther Crest. 

''When someone sees a painting, they ask how long it took to paint it. I tell them 60 years.  There's a lot of preparation time;  it's not all roses,'' he says smiling. 

Dreisbach surrounds himself with art and reads about it as well.   He reads the American Artist and goes to exhibitions. He and his wife are life members of the Allentown Art Museum. She is a life member of the museum's auxiliary. 

When it comes to heroes, Dreisbach says he doesn't have a particular person in mind. But he mentions Norman Rockwell, a popular American illustrator. Rockwell was known for his detailed, realistic style. 

''But Rockwell's style of painting is not my style, really,'' he says.

Although he could relate to Rockwell, Dreisbach says the artist he admired is the late Maxfield Parrish. ''I liked his colors.'' 

Indicating his awareness of the artist's struggle for recognition and success, Dreisbach says, ''You have an awful time trying to do it by yourself. You need someone to promote you.'' He mentions several museums. His paintings and drawings have been reproduced in Ideals and other publications. 

While he doesn't have any particular goals now, Dreisbach says ''I just enjoy myself. I do what I want to do when I want to do it.'' 

He paints during the day and night. ''I have no preference, but there are different light conditions. I like to experiment. But most of my painting is done in the mornings or afternoons.'' 

Dreisbach isn't sure why he has spent his life painting. 

''I don't know why I do it. You just do it. It's almost as if someone tells you what to do. You just paint and hope that this one is better than the last one.'' 

Dreisbach, Clarence Ira 1903-
Who's Who in American Art. 11th edition. New York: R.R. Bowker Co., 1973. (WhoAmA 73)
Who's Who in American Art. 12th edition. New York: R.R. Bowker Co., 1976. (WhoAmA 76)
Who's Who in American Art. 18th edition, 1989-1990. New York: R.R. Bowker Co., 1989. (WhoAmA 89)
Who's Who in American Art. 19th edition, 1991-1992. New Providence, NJ: R.R. Bowker Co., 1990. (WhoAmA 91)
Who's Who in American Art. 20th edition, 1993-1994. New Providence, NJ: R.R. Bowker Co., 1993. (WhoAmA 93)