The
Dryads… Ancient beings of old growth forests, with wisdom of ages long
forgotten, knowing much of what us busy folk have forgotten.
The
Forest of Arden is famously featured in Shakespeare's play "As You Like
It," where it serves as a place of refuge, transformation, and love.
Art
Nouveau Female Nude , - The present work is title "The Dryad Tree in
the Forest of Arden" was most likely done on assignment for a magazine
to illustrate a Dryads story . Signed with her initials MEF lower right.
Existing works by this artist are very rare.
Housed in a Newcomb Macklin style frame.
Condition is good.
Overall Framed under glass Size: 28 x 17 in.

Margaret Fernie Eaton (1871-1953) was an artist, born in England and
schooled and worked as an artist in the United States. She created
watercolor paintings in her early career, and is best known for her
pyrographic works illustrations. She collaborated with her husband,
fellow artist Hugh M. Eaton on book-plates and other works of art.
Early life
Margaret Fernie Eaton, Doing Her Bit, 1897

Margaret Fernie Eaton was born in Leamington, England on April 22,
1871. After she studied under J.B. Whitaker in Brooklyn, Eaton attended
the Art Students League of New York. Her instructors there included
Harry Siddons Mowbray and Kenyon Cox. She also attended Adelphi Academy.
Career

Watercolors she made by 1895 are A Little Picture Book, The Clerk and
The Story Book.In 1898, regarding her ability as a watercolor artist,
it was said that she "had a rare talent for the human, and her
socialistic studies like The China Painter and Left for Retrimming, show
increasing power from year to year—both in sight and technic."
Margaret Fernie Eaton, Brunhilde Asleep, pyrography, 1902
Margaret Fernie Eaton, A Song for March, 1901, March and Winter illustrations for Frank Farrington's poem

Eaton was known for her pyrography works of nude figures that
resembled etchings. She is thought to be the first artist to use
pyrography for magazine illustrations, like the Winter and March
illustrations, and created book covers using pyrography. A noted work is
a frieze, Song of the Sea.She and her husband, Hugh M. Eaton,
collaborated on their work and shared their Brooklyn workplace, Valhall
Studio. The designed book-plates, book binding, illuminations, etchings,
and pyrographic works of art. They were also interested in photography.
Hugh, who owned a printing press, published illustrations made by the
himk and/or his wife. She created architectural panel designs like Song
of Iris for a dining room, nursery, and Even-Song to be placed over a
mantel.By 1901, she illustrated the story Bettina's Easter Stock and
with her husband illustrated Hail and Farewell.

She was a member and vice-president of the Art Students League and a
member of the New York Watercolor Club, and exhibited her works there.
Both Margaret and Hugh were members of the Black and White Club.
Personal life

Margaret Fernie married Hugh M. Eaton (1865–1924). He graduated from
the Polytech Institute and studied art in several places, including the
Art Students League of New York. He was art manager at Leslie's Weekly
and The American Magazine. They lived at 339 Halsey Street in Brooklyn
and operated a studio, Valhall Studio, with two of Hugh's sisters. He
died on September 14, 1924.

She married Rev. Dr. Frederic W. Norris in Summerville, South
Carolina at the St. Paul's Church on November 17, 1929. At that time,
Norris was the rector emeritus of St. Matthew's Church in Brooklyn.
Norris died on November 22, 1931.

Eaton died in 1953.- From Wikipedia