"ELISE Cavenna, Armitage, SEEDS, Welton
1905 - 1963
Elise was adventurous, ambitious, charismatic, zany, interesting and comedic in her life as a dancer, actress, artist and chef.
Initially studying art at the staid Philadelphia Academy, she moved to Europe to study and perform with Isadora Duncan in Berlin. In 1924, she returned to New York and was hired as a dancer and comedienne in the Ziegfield Follies with actor W. C. Fields.
When she married impressario Merle Armitage and moved to Los Angeles about 1932, W. C. Fields, who had preceded her to Hollywood, suggested that she audition in the 'industry'. Thereupon, she appeared in comedic roles in a number of movies, including four with Fields.
Seeds also explored painting and printmaking. In 1933 with Los Angeles master printer Lynton Kistler, Elise Seeds produced a series of lithographs; transferring her visual, rhythmic, fluid dance forms onto the paper. Further influenced by modernist and post-surrealist movements in Los Angeles, she created paintings. drawings and watercolors revealing elements of surrealism..
To round out a fascinating career, with her final husband, James B. Welton, she co-authored Gourmet Cookery for Low Fat Diet."
