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WHISKEY PAINTERS OF AMERICA (WPA)

In 1951, a group of close knit watercolor artists, inspired by Akron, Ohio industrial designer, Joseph Ferriot, met at the Tangier Restaurant, a few blocks from the city's center to formally dedicate a unique and revolutionary genre, which used alcohol instead of water as the blending agent.

Ferriot first experimented with the style while traveling the country on sales missions for his fledgling mold business.

Using an aspirin tin to carry small strips of paper, miniature brushes and dallops of paste securely in his jacket pocket, Ferriot could use the container as a palette, mixing the colors by dipping the tiny brushes into his favorite spirits.

As popularity of the miniature masterpieces grew and on a cult-like apppeal, other friends from the Akron Society of Artists joined him on his nightly rounds of Akron's nightclubs.

Of those who met Tony Cross is the last of the founding members of the Whiskey Painters.