Warren Stichtenoth's embossed graphic design for the Delta Queen.
Artist's Statement
"During [the early 1960's] several exciting and unusual art opportunities presented themselves. I was doing all the advertising and sales promotion for the Delta Queen Steamboat Company. In order to create a public interest in the Delta Queen, we planned a one man art show on board the boat. A first! Since all of the paintings were of the Delta Queen, inside and out, her people and officers, the show became a pictorial story of the steamboat and her activities. To make the show a part of the Cincinnati scene, we invited the local school children to visit the Delta Queen and see the art show. The show then went on a tour of the American river cities and was shown in featured museums in Louisville, Memphis, Maysville, Paducah, St. Louis, New Orleans, and others. This unusual treatment for an art show brought about a special national award for Betty Blake and the owners of the Delta Queen for the most complete and effective public relations event of the year. When the show returned to Cincinnati after the Ohio River Tour, the paintings that had been purchased were made available to the purchasers. My old alma mater, Bond Hill Public School, purchased three of my paintings to include in their permanent art collection, one of the most extensive in the area at the time. I was asked to deliver them in person and at that time give an assembly for the student body. This was a most enjoyable event. It's always fun to talk about my relationship with the Delta Queen."
- Warren Stichtenoth, 1987
Two examples of Warren Stichtenoth's blank note cards that were sold in the Delta Queen Gift Shop.
This is the cover of the invitation to Warren Stichtenoth's art show in conjunction with Greene Line Steamer's 75th anniversary celebration.
This design was used in advertisements for the art show that appeared in publications such as the Cincinnati Enquirer and Cincinnati Post & Time Star newspapers, and Cincinnati Dimensions magazine. It was also used as the cover design on the program provided to visitors to the art show aboard the Delta Queen.
This is the list of Warren Stichtenoth paintings and drawing that comprised the 75th anniversary art show, as it appeared in the program. Many of these pieces are now housed in private collections. The portrait of Delta Queen Captain Ernest Wagner, entitled "Big Ernie" is now in the collection of the Cincinnati History Museum, a part of the Cincinnati Museum Center at Union Terminal. Log on: CincyMuseum.com.
Warren Stichtenoth shown with some of his paintings, preparing for the 75th Anniversary art show aboard the Delta Queen in March 1965.
"Warren Stichtenoth is a Cincinnati artist who likes to paint in unusual spots. He did a series of birds-eye views perched atop Highland Towers before the new high-rise was completed. His latest venture is a group of more than 30 oils, watercolors and drawings which he did aboard the Delta Queen. This so pleased the owners, captains, mates, and other Greene Line people that they are inviting one and all to troop down to the riverbank and hop aboard to see Mr. Stichtenoth's show Wednesday and Thursday, March 17 and 18. I hopped aboard the Stichtenoth's home in Delhi the other morning for a preview and am able to report that the work is engaging, bright, expertly executed and will have instant appeal to art lovers and river buffs. The Queen is a beauty and Mr. Stichtenoth has painted her with affection and reverence."
- Eleanor Bell, Cincinnati Post Art Critic, March 12, 1965
"Pilotin' Comes Natural," by Warren Stichtenoth
This is a black and white photograph of a color painting, inspired by a visit to the pilot house of the Delta Queen. This painting was first shown at the 75th Anniversary Art Show.
"The Stage Is Up," by Warren Stichtenoth
This is a black and white photograph of a color painting that was part of the 75th Anniversary art show aboard the Delta Queen in March of 1965. This photo was used for promotional purposes by Greene Line Steamers, as indicated in the wording below the photograph, and appeared in local newspapers and possibly other media.
"Between Trips," by Warren Stichtenoth
The March 1965 edition of "Dimension Cincinnati" magazine displayed this image of this painting. Inside the magazine was an advertisement for the art show aboard the Delta Queen on March 17 and 18, and an article entitled "How Greene Is Our Valley," that told the story of the Greene family and the history of Greene Line Steamers, Inc.
"Waitin' At The Levee" by Warren Stichtenoth
This painting was shown at the 1965 art show onboard the Delta Queen. This image of the Delta Queen was used by Greene Line Steamers in a variety of different ways, including (1) the cover art on the invitations to the "3rd Annual Derby Festival Steamboat Race" between the Delta Queen and the Belle of Louisville" on Tuesday, April 27, 1965; (2) as the cover art for a jacket sleeve for a 45 RPM record featuring Harmon Mize at the Organ doing a "Showboat Medley" and a "Stephen Foster Medley."
"Bucket Boards," by Warren Stichtenoth
This painting from the art show aboard the Delta Queen was also used as the cover art for a special booklet titled "Greene Line Steamers Inc. celebrates its 75th Anniversary." The booklet featured a history of the company and its many riverboats, and included photos of members of the Greene family and historic Greene Line riverboats with names like "H. K. Bedford," "Greenwood," and "Tom Greene." This image shows the wording that appeared on the cover of the booklet: "From the wake of our past comes many moments to remember. . ."
"Time Out," by Warren Stichtenoth
This wording and this image of the drawing entitled "Time Out" were featured on the inside of the program given to visitors to Warren Stichtenoth's art show onboard the Delta Queen in March, 1965.
This painting was shown at the 1965 art show onboard the Delta Queen. It was also used for a Mardi Gras-themed poster promoting the Delta Queen, and also on a Christmas card (as shown below).
Notepack Set
"Rail Birds."
"Lazy Livin."
"Fantail Followers."
"Lots of Exercise."
Four of seven drawings, done in a technique called ink and wash, which presented a more light-hearted look at life on the Delta Queen. These drawings were on display at the seventy-fifth anniversary art show onboard the Delta Queen. The drawings were made into note cards and sold in packs of seven in the Delta Queen gift shop. The back of each card reads: "Copyright 1965 Greene Line Steamers, Inc., Cin. Ohio."
"Fantail Followers" was exhibited at a one-man art show at the Cincinnati Art Club in March of 1967. "Rail Birds," "Lazy Livin'" and "Port of Cincinnati," are still available as 11x17 prints (approx. size) and may be purchased from the artist's family.
Cub Pilot's Certificate (below) graphic design by Warren Stichtenoth.
