Arthur Honywood Vachell

Arthur H. Vachell (November 8, 1864 – June 1, 1933), also known as A. V., was an English watercolorist who was associated with the art colony in Carmel-by-the-Sea, California.

Early life and education

Vachell was born on November 8, 1864, in Dover, England. He was the third of three sons. His older siblings included the writer Horace Annesley Vachell and Lucy, while his younger brother was Guy. His father, Richard Tanfield Vachell, was a former landowner, and his mother, Georgina, was the daughter of Arthur Lyttelton-Annesley.

Career

In 1881, Vachell and his two brothers, Arthur and Guy, relocated to California, buying land at Rancho Corral de Piedra, which they named "Tally Ho." Situated in the Arroyo Grande basin, to the southeast of San Luis Obispo, California, they began planting trees and vines.

On May 20, 1887, Horace and Arthur, along with their San Luis Polo Club, competed against the San Francisco Polo Club in Arroyo Grande, California, drawing a crowd of 500 spectators.

During their time in San Luis Obispo, Arthur, Guy, and Horace were involved in acting in the play Jane at the Pavilion Theater. The San Luis Obispo Tribune said, "It was a very enjoyable play, well stages and well played."

He painted landscapes, garden scenes, and seascapes of the Carmel Beach.

Vachell's had friendships within the literary community. Society columns chronicled his travels and the company he kept. Willard Huntington Wright from the Los Angeles Times categorized Vachell within Carmel's conservative social circle, dubbed "the Eminently Respectables," along with figures like the MacGowan sisters and Arnold Genthe. Vachell was among the painters who often socialized with the literary community.

For the Forest Theatre Society, Vachell acted in the role of Tweedle-dee in Alice in Wonderland. He also performed on the stage of the Greek Theater at the University of California, Berkeley campus in a production of The Toad.

In 1916, Vachell, among other locals acted in and painted the scenery for th play The Piper, presented by the Arts and Crafts Club at the Forest Theater.

In 1927, Horace and Arthur relocated to England and bought the large 18th century, English country estate, Widcombe Manor House, in Widcombe, Bath, England.

Death

Vachell died on June 1, 1933, in Exmouth, England, at the age of 69.