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Robert Whiteside, a Renaissance man. He paints
impressive impressionistic paintings, cooks gourmet meals to rival a five star
chef and in fact owns his own restaurant on his 68 acre country
B&B. He is an instrument pilot and an accomplished musician and is
considered an important craftsman of our
generation. Robert Whiteside is noted for his keen sense of taste and style and his
unusual talent for creating unique objects of art and jewelry that are now in major
collections around the world. Among others, Mr. Whiteside was the guests of the Reagans at a White House reception honoring American musical theatre--A Salute to Broadway. Noted composer/musician Marvin Hamlisch was master of ceremonies and such noted personalities as Mary Martin, Bea Arthur and Jennifer Hoilday were in attendance. While in Washington, Mr. Whiteside also was guest of Ambassador Lucky Roosevelt, the current U.S. Chief of Protocol, for a special tour of the State Department. At her request, Robert hand-carried some special gifts for the next heads of state official visit. His two most memorable experiences were going to the White House to meet the President and First Lady and Audrey Hepburn. The meeting with Audrey Hepburn came about when UNICEF was having a fund raiser. Robert was chosen to create a picture frame which would house an autographed picture of Ms. Hepburn, as Holly Golightly in Breakfast at Tiffany's. It was to be auctioned for the charity. "Many people comment what a wonderful person she seemed to be on screen and want to know is she was like that in person. I have never met a more genuine, gentle and kind human being. She was the personification of elegance" A man who is generous with his abundant talents, Whiteside, in conjunction with Gumps, a specialty store noted for quality, created a donation for the 1987 Crystal Charity Ball. The exquisite Faberge inspired table setting for six of gilded sterling silver, royal blue guilloche enamel included: Six place card holders enhanced by an small vermeil bow and two cultured pearl feet, six pair of salt and pepper shakers accented by four cultured pearl feet, six cylindrical columned candlesticks, six napkin rings accented at each edge by a vermeil border, and for the crowning glory, a stunning Faberge inspired presentation egg mounted on Brazilian Rock crystal base. The hinged egg is mounted with a clock movement within the lid so as to display the clock when the egg is left open--a perfect compliment to any table setting. At the invitation of Anita Madden of Louisville, Kentucky, Whiteside exhibited his works at the Kentucky Derby Eve Party. Artisan that he is Robert created numerous special items for the occasion. He described them as "horsy" in theme. They made a big hit. Born in Tupelo, Mississippi in 1950 and raised primarily in Texas first dreamed of a musical career. He played the cello at 13, and went on to play the flute oboe and saxophone, before settling with the clarinet of which he majored at N.T.S.U. After attending North Texas State University he went on the study musical instrument repair in Boston. In 1972, he was exposed to his first genuine piece of Faberge. "Once a craftsman beholds the work of Faberge', it is a logical course to strive, from that point on, to achieve the same quality." So he set himself on the path of the visual arts. It was also this interest for intricate metal work on musical instruments that prompted him to enter the field of the goldsmith. Aside from his now well known objects d'art, Whiteside's jewelry has become popular and enduring. From custom creations designed to enhance family heirloom pieces or create the heirlooms of tomorrow to bold contemporary designs featuring natural and semi-precious stones, enamel, gilt-sterling and gold. Even the famous Forbes Collection, said to be the world's most complete collection of original Faberge works, knows of Dallas' Whiteside. When Forbes was recently asked to loan The Faberge Coronation Egg to film a national television commercial for Lincoln Mercury at Culver City, Forbes curator, Margaret Kelly, suggested the producer contact Robert Whiteside rather than undergo the expensive insurance and security that would be required with a Faberge egg. After brief negotiations, Whiteside was flown to California with a Whiteside presentation egg for the filming. The 1989 Lincolns popped out of the egg in place of the expected Cinderella coach. In 1995 Robert decided to make a major change in his life. He moved his Dallas shop to a 68 acre estate in the quiet Piney Woods of East Texas outside Mount Vernon. Here Robert operates a Bed and Breakfast and Restaurant while also escaping to his jewelry studio to explore more artistic possibilities. Whiteside's prices today rang from $100 for a small, miniature egg charm to $50,000 or more for an important presentation egg, one thing is certain, his works appear also destined for an important place in our history and are a current must for any serious collector. M.T.
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