Brice’s sister Frances married Ray Stark, an extremely energetic and quick-minded man, who became one of Hollywood’s legendary agents and producers. Brice and Stark’s relationship would transcend that of brothers-in-law, and the men became fast friends. Eventually, Stark engaged Brice as the Starks’ art consultant, assisting them in amassing an important collection of 19th and 20th century painting and sculpture at their Holmby Hills home, and later at the Stark Ranch just north of Santa Barbara, in the Santa Ynez Valley.
Back in Los Angeles, Brice finished high school and enrolled in Chouinard Art Institute, while also taking occasional classes at other schools, including Otis Art Institute. At Otis, he met two artists in particular with whom he developed long friendships and professional relationships — Howard Warshaw and Rico Lebrun.
top: Brice, Bardeen, Warshaw, and friends in costume
middle: Brice, Rico Lebrun, and Howard Warshaw
bottom: Brice in his studio, 1940’s
