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Off to Paris. The first tentative recognition came in 1951, when a single early painting of Mabe's was accepted for Rio's National Salon. The honor was enough to make Mabe's father-in-law relent, and Mabe began to paint again. Two years ago he decided to make the break, sold out the family's small plot of land at a loss and set off for Sao Paulo to paint, and sell ties. On his own, he developed his present style, in which a basic, slashing, abstract expressionist manner is given style by hints of the elegant lines of Japanese calligraphy and architecture.
By last week Artist Mabe had paid off the last of his old farm debts, and packed his bags for Paris. "I've given my brother-in-law the tie business," he said happily. "I'm a painter now, a real painter!"