Inside Scoop creating "My Ladies" of the For the Common Good: A Tribute to American Women Leaders Portrait Project

 

 

 

 

 I thought it might be insightful and interesting to discuss my considerations in creating some of the portraits of For the Common Good: "A Tribute to the American Women Leaders" project. As I mentioned in the initial blog, each oil portrait has been carefully composed, considering significant details, color, composition and the subject to be painted at most relevant time of their lives.

 

                                             Clara Barton 

Lets start with  Clara Barton, "The Angel of the Battlefield," the Founder of the American Red Cross.

What an amazing selfless woman, she gave her entire life and even risked her life at times, in helping people in need. I really wanted to capture the kindness and sensitivity in her face and persona. Certainly her unflinching gaze tells it all!

 

 

 

For Clara's portrait I researched thru the Library of Congress for images of Clara. I wanted to capture her when she was still very active.

In so many of the images I reviewed, Clara is looking straight on. She has a very wide round full face, so I wanted to find a picture of her face in a 3/4 pose. I found a Matthew Brady photograph that would work great, plus have some design interest with her clothes, see below:

 

 

 

 

I did not want a 3/4 standing pose, as shown above, since all the portraits in this Tribute are generally between 14 x 18- 20 x 16 inches, and her head would be too small. I felt a cropped image of the reference photo would focus more on Clara's face and spirit and the viewers eye would not be wandering around caught in the folds of her  very full dress. See cropped photo below.

                            

                             Frances Perkins

                        "The Woman behind the New Deal" 

Wow, talk about an over achiever. What didn't she accomplish  at a time when women had very little professional opportunities.

Here are some of her accomplishments as FDR"s Secretary of Labor: 

 The first woman to serve in U.S. Cabinet, the driving force behind the New Deal, a leader in creating Social Security, Minimum wage, Unemployment insurance, the 40 hour work week, Child labor laws, Welfare and the protection of labor rights. Whew!!!

I thought it was important to paint her at what she was always doing, working!

 

I was fortunate to find a reference photo of Frances at her desk, pen in hand, wearing her famous grey triangular hat. I changed the back ground to make it simpler and less distracting and also changed the chair so it would be more fluid with the composition. Even though I usually try to make  people look better and younger, I felt, since she was such a workaholic, I would paint her looking as tired as she was. 

Below is the reference photo.

Ida B.Wells 

Once again, I researched photos of Ida B. Wells, the powerful civil rights activist and journalist. I chose this one because it conveyed her power and "Bull Doggedness". 

Also, I loved her pose with the red  carnelian beads, no nonsense  power dress with the hard shinny black buttons, finger ready to point  and direct, and the great carved lion on the  wooden chair.

 

 

 

Here is the reference photo that I worked from. 

 

 

Now, there was a compositional problem with the above reference photo; too much space on the top left side of the photo, so your eye wanders there in that empty space.  But, I came up with an answer, thanks to good old dear pal, Rembrandt. 

I added more to the right side, to balance the left side and I added a semi-circle to each side to fill in the empty void. See Rembrandt's application below. 

 

 

 

 

 

 Ida Tarbell   

 The most famous Muckraker 

 The woman that took on Standard Oil! 

 

Boy, I had fun with this portrait! I tried to evoke her as a snake coiled and ready to strike! 

 

Ida was a friend of Mark Twain's, and since I am a Twainiac and live on his original property, the portrait was even more special to me. Also, the fact the Ida lived in Easton Connecticut the next town over from Redding. 

I had to change the background, so as not to detract from Ida and I added to her left hand, as in the reference photo it was not shown. I placed a pen in her hand, since she was a writer journalist and I redesigned her hat to give it an Indian on the war path feel. I also delighted in adding  wooden "ball" like additions to the chair...guess why!

 

 

   

                                       Dolores  Huerta

                                               Yes we Can!

 

                                               

Dolores Huerta is a legend in early civil rights for farm workers. She and Cesar Chavez founded the United Farm Workers Association, (UFW). She worked tirelessly for the benefits of the workers and has been a recipient of many honors as shown here wearing her Presidential Medal of Freedom. I chose this image as it show Dolores as a strong, forthright and no frills woman. It was important to me to include images of her as an early activist (upper left) and striking union workers (upper right). Below are images of my reference photos.

 

 

 

  

 

 

Initial portrait block in  (center) showing color and black and white reference photos

 

 

 

 

Amelia Earhart

Creating Amelia's portrait was at first challenging, but then most rewarding. I started her portrait with her standing in front of 

her fateful Lockheed Electra Plane, see image below. But as this first portrait progressed, I felt it was lacking. It did not express Amelia's free spirit and energy.

 

 

   So I went back to researching reference photos and then I found this one:

                       This was it and I was off painting!

The portrait "flew" together, all the while I felt energized with enthusiasm. I think it has all that I wanted to convey about this dare devil record breaking aviator: spunk, fearlessness and tenacity.

  Plus, she is poised like a bird, in full sunshine ready to fly off into the sky...into her unknown.

 

To see more of my artwork, please visit: www.susandurkee.com

For The Common Good: "A Tribute to American Women Leaders"

                               

Margaret Sanger "The Mother of the Birth Control Movement", oil on canvas

                   

American Women leaders need to be acknowledged!

 

 From our Founding Mothers to today's revolutionary  leaders, this creative portrait project, which I started 6 years ago, honors  America's determined, passionate visionaries.

The honorees include: Eleanor Roosevelt, Harriet Tubman, Ruth Bader Ginsburg, Amelia Earhart, Abigail Adams, Olivia de Havilland, Helen Coley Nauts, Margaret Sanger, Sonia Sotomayor, Rosa Parks, Ida Tarbell, Lucretia Mott, Helen Keller, Frances Perkins, Ida B. Wells, Susan La Flesche Picotte, Susan B. Anthony, Nellie Bly, Clara Barton, Dolores Huerta, Ida B. Wells, Rachel Carson, Harriet Beecher Stowe, Sojourner Truth, Dolly Parton, and Oprah Winfrey and more to come.

Each oil portrait will be carefully composed considering significant details, color, composition and the most relevant time in their lives to be captured on canvas.

 In the past, I had the honor of being commissioned to paint Helen Coley Nauts, an advocate and visionary in the field of early Cancer Immunology and Gloria Steinem, a groundbreaking woman's rights advocate, Catherine Lorillard Wolfe, a major philanthropist and supporter of child welfare, and Supreme Court Justice Sonia Sotomayor a champion of equal rights.

                                      

 

With the  For the Common Good: A Tribute to American Women Leaders" Project, I will begin a series of oil on linen  portraits which will average in size between 14 x 18 inches to 20 x 24 inches.

 

Eleanor Roosevelt    oil on linen   20 x 16 *

 

 

"The future belongs  to those who believe in the beauty of their dreams"            Eleanor Roosevelt

    

Eleanor Roosevelt: diplomat, humanitarian, activist and one of the most beloved and respected women of the 20th Century.

*This portrait of Eleanor Roosevelt was featured in the popular Netfix                      series "The Diplomat."

Ruth Bader Ginsburg, oil on linen, 20 x 16

       

"I would like to be remembered as someone who used whatever talent she had to do her work to the very best of her ability."    Ruth Bader Ginsburg

 

 

Ruth Bader Ginsburg, "R.B.G" Associate Justice of the U.S. Supreme Court, a fierce and dedicated advocate for the advancement of gender equality and women's rights.
Ruth Bader Ginsburg has shaped the course of our nations' history through her convictions and voice for dissent. In 1993 she was the second woman appointed to the U.S. Supreme Court.

 

 

 Frances Perkins, oil on canvas,  20 x 16

  "The Woman behind the New Deal"

 

Frances Perkins was FDR'S Secretary of Labor and the first woman to serve in U.S. Cabinet, as Cabinet Secretary. Frances was a strong and tireless advocate for social welfare and was the driving force behind the New Deal. She was a leader in creating: Social Security, Minimum wage, Unemployment insurance, the 40 hour work week, Child labor laws, Welfare and the protection of labor rights.

 

 

Abigail Adams, oil on linen, after Gilbert Stuart

 

                                   "Remember the Ladies"

 As one of the Founding Mothers of our young nation, Abigail Adams was ahead of her time. She was an early advocate for Women's Rights, a Humanitarian, a powerful political figure and anti-slave proponent.

 

 

Margaret Sanger, oil on canvas, 20 x 16

 

                

"No woman shall call herself free who does not own and control her body.                        No woman can call herself free until she can choose conscientiously whether she will or will not be a mother."  Margaret Sanger

    

    Margaret Sanger  opened the first birth control clinic in the United States and founded Planned Parenthood. She was also involved with the development of the first birth control pill.  Regarded as the founder and leader of the birth control movement, Margaret was a nurse, writer, sex educator and activist. Her accomplishments have forever changed today's women's lives and freedoms.

 

 

  

Sojourner Truth, oil on linen, 18 x 14

 "Truth is powerful and will prevail"  Sojourner Truth

Sojourner Truth was an influential black abolitionist and women's rights activist. A powerful  public speaker, she is best known for her "Aint I a Women?" speech, which recognized how black women were excluded from cultural norms of equality and femininity, exposing racial and gender oppression.  Born into slavery in New York  in 1797, she endured horrible treatment and physical abuse. She finally escaped to freedom in 1826 and became an important leader in the fight against slavery in the 1800's.

 

 

 Ida Tarbell, oil on linen, 20 x 16

 

 

 

"The Woman who took on Standard Oil"

 

 Ida Tarbell was a pioneer of investigative journalism, a lecture and writer. She was fearless! One of the most famous "Muckraking" journalists of the 19th Century.

 

 Ida B. Wells,  oil on linen, 22 x 18

                             "Virtue knows no Color line"

"The way to right wrongs is to turn the light of truth upon them"     Ida B. Wells

 

 

Ida B. Wells was a civil rights activist,  investigative journalist, lecturer and educator. Born into slavery, she lead an anti-lynching crusade in the 1890's. She was active in the founding of the National Association of Advancement of Colored people (NAACP) and founded the  Negro Fellowship League. 

 

 

Dolores Huerta, oil on linen, 18 x 14

                                    Dolores Huerta, Civil Rights Leader

"Yes we can" are the most important words to Dolores Huerta.  Inspired by her mother to become a feminist and a force for social justice, Dolores has devoted her life for workers equality. She co-founded, with Cesar Chavez, the United Farm Workers Association (UFW).  She has worked tirelessly to improve the lives of farm workers thru organizing boycotts and legislation.

 Susan B. Anthony, oil on linen 20 x 16

               

"Men their rights and nothing more; Women their rights and nothing less."   Susan B. Anthony

 Susan B. Anthony, Americas greatest woman suffragist, was a pioneer crusader for woman's rights and social reform. The 19th Amendment to the constitution, granting the rights for women to vote, became a reality mainly due to her tireless campaigning and efforts.

 

 

 Lucretia Mott, oil on canvas, 20 x 16

"The world has never yet seen a truly great and virtuous nation, because in the degradation of women, the very fountains of life are poisoned at their source."  Lucretia Mott

 

Lucretia Mott was an early American abolitionist, lecturer, woman's rights activist, social reformer, author and a strong advocate against slavery. She was a courageous advocate of moral integrity, equality and justice.

  

Rosa Parks, oil on linen,  18 x 14

 

 

 

        "If you don't stand for something you will fall for anything"                                                                                                                                         Rosa Parks

 

 Rosa Parks is considered the "Mother of the Civil Rights Movement".  Rosa Parks was an American civil rights activist whose refusal to give up her seat to a white person on a public bus precipitated the 1955-56 Montgomery Bus Boycott in Alabama. Her actions, on the bus, became the spark that ignited the civil rights movement in the United States.

 

 

 

Olivia de Havilland, oil on linen, 18 x 14

                   "One must take what comes with laughter"                                                                                                                                                          Olivia de Havilland

 

Olivia de Havilland, described as "Satin and Steel" was a  2 time Academy Award winner and the last major leading actress of the Golden Age of Hollywood.  Olivia passed away in 2020 at 104 years old. But she was much more that a wonderful, beautiful and versatile actress...she was a fearless and tough. She took on the movie studios when they had complete control over their stars. Backed by the Screen Actors Guild, she took Warner Brothers to court in 1943 when they penalized her for turning down roles. The California Supreme Court ruled in her favor in what is now known as the De Havilland Law. All actors today are indebted to her efforts.

 

Harriet Tubman   oil on linen,  21 x 17

            "Every great dream begins with a dreamer." Harriet Tubman

 

Harriet Tubman,  the "Moses of her people" was an escaped slave, who was courageous and committed to  helping other slaves regain their freedom as a "conductor" on the Underground Railroad. She was never caught and never lost any of her "passengers."  Harriet was also a Union spy, scout, nurse, abolitionist and early supporter of women's suffrage. I chose to portray Harriet as a younger  woman. People usually see an image of her as an old woman...she was only 5 feet tall, but, what that small mighty woman accomplished!

(My portrait of Harriet Tubman was featured in the Netfix series "The Diplomat).

 

 

 

 

Clara Barton, oil on linen, 20 x 16

 "I may sometimes be willing to teach for nothing, but if paid at all, I shall never do a man's work for less than a man's pay."                                                                                                                         Clara Barton

Clara Barton, the "Angel of the battlefield," was the founder of the American Red Cross, teacher, nurse, abolitionist, founder of the National First Aid Association of America and an ardent supporter of women's suffrage.

 

 

Amelia Earhart, oil on linen, 20 x 16 

 

                                "Adventure is worthwhile in itself."                                                                                                                                  Amelia Earhart

Amelia Earhart, who has not heard that name since a youth. Amelia personified the American free spirit who was ready to take on all challenges. She was the first Aviation pioneer, a women rights advocate and author. She set aviation record after record, among them the first trans-Atlantic solo flight by a woman, wrote bestselling books about her flying adventures and was responsible for the formation of "The Ninety-Nines" an organization for female pilots. She was also a world-famous celebrity that was friends with the most famous people of the era including Eleanor Roosevelt.

 

 

 

 

 

Nellie Bly, oil on linen, 18 x 14



"If you want to do it, you can do it"  Nellie Bly 

Nelli Bly, born Elizabeth Jane Cochran, and nick named "Pinkie" was a pioneer of investigative journalism. Her courage, determination and innovation was overwhelming! She risked her life to feign lunacy to bring the awareness to the cruelties of Insane Asylums.  She went around the world faster than any person alive at that time, and she owned and operated a factory that was a model of social welfare for her workers.  From her efforts she was able to bring women into the male dominated journalist arena. She had steel blue eyes, was very direct and a tough cookie! 

Oprah Winfrey, oil on canvas,  20 x 16

"Create the highest, grandest vision possible in your life, because you become what you believe."Oprah Winfrey

 

Oprah Winfrey "The Queen of All Media" is a force to be reckoned with. From very humble beginnings she has built a world wide empire and has used her immense indomitable power and influence for philanthropic missions, including her "Oprah's Angel Network" and helping poor and disadvantaged youth.

 

 

 Mercy Otis Warren, oil on canvas, 20 x 16   after John Singleton Copley

"The Rights of the Individual should be the primary objects of all Governments."   Mercy Otis Warren

 

Mercy Otis Warren was one of the  most influential writers during the Revolution, winning over many, through her writing, to the Patriot side.  She was an American activist, playwright, and  Political "Influencer" at a time when most women were limited in education, writing and political savvy.

 

 

Susan La Flesche Picotte, oil on linen, 18 x 14

"I shall always fight good and hard, even if I have to fight alone" Susan La Flesche Picotte

 

Susan La Flesche Picotte  selflessly dedicated her short life for the betterment and health of her fellow Native Americans. She was the first Native American Doctor. Born in a Tipi, she graduated  valedictorian and top of her class from Medical college.  I choose to paint her as a younger woman while she was in Medical School and hopefully capture her passion and amazing spirit. In the background I painted and a Omaha Indian design to represent her tribe.
 

 I will be adding more original oil portraits honoring American Women leaders in the near future.

 

 

 To learn more about Harriet Tubman and her oil portrait development, visit my blog page:

https://susandurkee.blogspot.com/2021/01/harriet-tubman-moses-of-her-people.html

 

 To learn more about Eleanor Roosevelt and her oil portrait development, visit my blog page: 

https://susandurkee.blogspot.com/2021/01/eleanor-roosevelt-most-beloved-woman-of.html

 

To learn more about Clara Barton and her oil portrait development, visit my blog page:

   https://susandurkee.blogspot.com/2021/01/honoring-with-portraiture-clara-barton.html

 

To see more of my portraiture and larger versions of these portraits please visit my website: www.susandurkee.com

 

Thank you for taking the time to visit my blog and learn more about these exceptional women leaders!

* Portrait of Eleanor Roosevelt based on a reference photograph by Lotte Johanna Alexandra Jacobi circa 1944. 

Eleanor Roosevelt's  portrait along with the Harriet Tubman portrait was featured in the Netflix series, "The Diplomat".