Ether Frolic proudly presents a display of four American treasures depicted in the extraordinary works of Southern Californian Narrative Surrealist painter: John S. Reynolds.

George Washinton, our first American president, built this country on important principles of freedom and democracy. In recent years our freedoms have been systematically taken away from us but hopefully people will return and fight for what Georgie gave us in the first place. Also, George was a hemp farmer with wooden teeth made from ivory, gold, lead and other people's teeth. The 6' 3" luminary grew hemp and likely smoked marijuana.

Facts about Georgie:

His favorite dishes include cream of peanut soup and string beans with mushrooms. He loved ice creams. He had ice cream coolers installed in his house.

George Washington married Martha Dandridge Custis. Martha was a wealthy widow from Virginia. George Washington proposed to Martha after knowing her less than a month. They were both 27 years old. They got married in Martha's house. Ironically, the house was called "The White House."

Edgar Allen Poe was an American writer, poet, editor and literary critic born in Boston MA in 1809. His morbid, gripping tales of mystery have transcended time and are still as frightening today as they were years ago.

He married his 13-year-old first cousin Virginia Clemm who died of tuberculosis at the tender age of 24. Much of Poe's macabre writing would center around a young, beautiful woman dying. It is thought that Virginia's death greatly influenced the repeated use of this theme.

Interesting facts:

Poe's girlfriend Sarah Helen Whitman (a poet, essayist, transcendentalist and Spiritualist) had a heart condition that she treated with ether she breathed in through her handkerchief.

Poe is said to have repeatedly called out the name "Reynolds" on the night before his death, though it is unclear to whom he was referring.

Bix Beiderbecke was born in Davenport, IA. He played cornet with many bands during the jazz age including, Jean Goldkette in Detroit then Paul Whiteman Orchestra in New York City. He is largely considered to be the greatest jazz soloist of all time. Even Louis Armstrong was a fan. He had a great gift for jazz improvisation in the hot and sweet style. Piano was also a great love of his life and he wrote beautiful compositions but never recorded them. Like Jim Morrison, Jimmy Hendrix and Janis Jopin, he died very early on from alcohol abuse. His creative genius will always be remembered in his numerous recordings.

Bix Beiderbecke is an iconic symbol of the jazz age. Hollywood should make a very period-correct film about his life depicting this world of scandal, mystery and riverboats. Until then, we can enjoy this glorious painting by John S. Reynolds and his sparkling recordings that illuminate a time we never knew but won't soon forget.

Mark Twain was one of the greatest American authors and humorists of all time. He was born Samuel Langhorne Clemens in Florida, Missouri on November 30, 1835. Halley's Comet came in 1835 and so did Samuel. He also died the day after Halley's Comet came around again in 1910 and he planned it like that! He is most famous for his great novels; Adventures of Huckleberry Finn and The Adventures of Tom Sawyer. Not only was he absorbed in writing but also science and technological advancements. Hence, he had a very close friendship with Nikola Tesla.

Always do right. This will gratify some people and astonish the rest.

Mark Twain