Catalogue entry
Ruby is the mother in center. She sold papers for son when he was called to do something else. Me and Weldon wrestling. Ruby's daughter has a baby. They lived close by and her husband, ball player of some renown, died from alcohol consumption. Son playing horn. Daughter, Lovella, walking down hall. Represents closeness of family modesty. Son in navy. Father teacher and house painter in summer. He was the victim of Ruby. A marriage of inconvenience. —DB
The Cantralls, Foster Family. Setting is Springfield. Bottom of the Depression. David wrestles with brother Weldon. A daughter married to WPA. A good guy, but drink took him. He was a great baseball player. Second daughter going to the bathroom. Foster mother is neurotic. Husband taught school. He’s holding a paint can because he had a summer job painting. The mother sold newspapers (depicted in the painting) on behalf of her son, who is playing the trombone in the painting. Another son in the Navy. The house was in a well-off neighborhood, but their home was mediocre. David sold magazines to get out of the house.
—Notes from a Conversation with David Byrd and Jody Isaacson
