In the winter of 1940, Paul and Jean Harris were vacationing in the newly formed ‘resorts’ just outside Hollywood, California.

The restless Paul Harris, a man who had never really retired, was again looking for a new project. In his Californian desert retreat, surrounded by so much natural beauty, he suddenly got the urge to express himself on the canvass.

There were many artists present at his resort. One of them was Mrs Matille Prigge Seaman (pictured with Harris). Matille took up the role of Art Teacher to the enthusiastic Paul Harris.

Paul Harris subsequently gifted these paintings to Rotary headquarters with his ‘signature, “Mike Jr”. When asked to explain the meaning of this name, Harris explained it was short for Michelangelo Jr.

 “But Michelangelo was quite some painter”, someone at RI HQ retorted.

“I know”, said Paul Harris, “but I always believe in starting at the top!”

Rotary Global History senior historian Calum Thomson 25 February 2006