The Future is Now

The Future is Now

This is part of my series of women in traditionally male roles.  This is Samantha.  She works at the United States Senate. The red and white polka dot blouse is a nod to her Rosie the Riveter sisters who wore kerchiefs of the same cloth on their heads.  Strong, independent women...cut from the same cloth.  

Samantha was kind enough to let me into the Senate offices in the Russell building and photograph her in her office, in the senate.  The history of the Russell building is impressive to say the least.  It was first opened in 1909.  This photo was taken in the conference room where countless senators have met.  Republicans and Democrats have conferred, argued and agreed.  Our country has been shaped by the decisions made in that room.

We had a great photo shoot and I took pictures of her in some very powerful and commanding poses.  Then as an aside I asked her to sit cross legged on a table.  It is not what I was going for at all, it was a lark.  When I analyzed all the pictures and tried to find the ONE...the one that would say what I want it to say this pose kept drawing me in...then I noticed the clock above her head and a light went on...that was it.  It is her time...it is our time.  The Future is Now.  Samantha is our future. 

bowler hats and vanilla beans!

A twofer!  I recently visited my dear friend in Charleston.  We celebrate our birthdays together and have for he last 25 years!  Having missed last February with her I decided to drive to Charleston during Spoleto to visit and celebrate.  Spoleto is a big art festival...my dear friend Helen Beacham participates every year so it was a great way to get to see her too!  What a great time!  

When I travel I always bring kimonos and hats with me in the hopes of finding willing models.  I am not fussy about whether they sit for let me do a photo shoot...I prefer the sitting but I am happy to have photos.

My dear friend Kathy offered to pose with the bowler and tie...who doesn't love a bowler and tie!  I was trying to think of how to spice it up a bit when I thought of a moustache...of course it has been done but I wanted to put my own spin on it.  I thought of a vanilla bean!  I was fortunate enough to get one that had the perfect little curl at the end...it reminded me of Snidley Whiplash...dating myself but it amused me!  After Kathy so generously sat I asked her beautiful daughter in law to do the same.  Here are my first two attempts at

Generations

Generations

16 x 20

Oil on Raymar Panel

$1200.00

It all started with a visit to see my cousin Mary Ellen in Maryland.  We get together every so often to have an art day.  It always involves lots of art, laughter and good food!  On this visit I had the presence of mind to load my car with some of my hats from my prop closet and a couple of my kimonos just in case anyone was up for a photo shoot.  My good fortune continued when I realized that Virginia, Alice and Alvah we also going to join us.  After a respectable amount of time at the work table I approached everyone with the option to add a photo shoot to the fun.  They were all game and tried on hats and kimonos and posed for me.  What fun! Alice pulled out her violin and posed and even got some great shots of her Dad playing his guitar!  When I am not fortunate enough to have a live model in the studio...I opt for my fabulous collection of inspirational photos.  

Here we have Virginia and Alice...grandmother and granddaughter.  They were both so much fun trying on hats and kimonos.  I love the relationship between these two.  The love and respect is obvious.  I worked on this off and on for the last couple of months and may work on it some more...but for now I am going to call it done. 

In other news, we are getting ready for our move to North Carolina.  I have been cleaning things out.  I don't believe my studio has EVER been so clean!  I purged the space of my rejected paintings and put things away.  Of course now I can't find anything!  

30 in 30 Series Continues...We enter our second half of life

This series has been so interesting for me.  I realize that I have loved every stage of my life.  Every stage has it challenges and its rewards...here we are entering our second fifty years...

Tired...

Yes, many of us are accused of looking tired...hahaha.  

Sunglasses..

Now we wear sunglasses to protect our eyes..no longer a cool factor...though he DOES look cool...doesn't he???

Dreamcatcher

We still have dreams.  Quiet, beautiful dreams about being with loved ones.  We know the value of our family and friends.  

 Self Assured

Self assuredness encourages us to express ourselves not as a rebellious gesture but just because we want to...whether society likes it or not.  

Nun

Anyone remember when nun's wore habits?  Many older nuns still do.  I love the white and black habit and the mysteriously regal look it gave the nuns I knew.  We always wondered what color their hair was...

30 in 30 - the series continues - grown ups

My 30 in 30 series continues and I continue to enjoy this project.  We have passed adolescence and now we are acting like grownups!  

Uncertain Future

This sailor is leaving the security of his family home for the first time and nervous about his future.  It is an exiting but stressful time.

Mr Cool

Yes, he is too cool for school.  Coming into his own and becoming confident in who he is.  

Happiness and confidence personified.

And another cool guy with stubble...stubble is a big part of looking cool when you are an adult.

I may have gotten too carried away with the sunglasses thing...but they are so fun to paint...and they seemed to fit the mood of the age so well.

Basking in the glow of the sun...confident, secure and ready for anything the world throws her way.