He returned to Utah in 1896 where he established a studio and served as the first secretary of the Society of Utah Artists . However he later moved to San Francisco . His studio and $ 80,000 worth of art were destroyed in the 1906 earthquake , after which he relocated his practice to Los Angeles . From 1909-1919 Clawson practiced art in New York City and then in the later year he returned to Los Angeles . In Los Angeles Clawson mainly painted portraits of movie and theatre stars , the later often coming from New York City
1906 earthquake
1906 San Francisco earthquake
John Willard Clawson