Monday, January 2, 2012

My mother's work from the 50's!




My mother, Joyce McKittrick Kroll, was a sought after fashion illustrator in the 50's and 60's.  Aren't these amazing.  These were for O'Neils and she also worked for Gimbels,  MayCo., and Goldwaters as well as other freelance accounts.  She could draw anything despite her hands being badly deformed.  She hid them in her pockets so when she applied for work the potential employer would not judge her for this.  She told me that she had asked one of these art directors "would he have hired her if he had seen her hands?"  His reply was, "No".  And never once did she show pity for herself in front of us even though we know how deeply embarrassed she was.    

Sunday, January 1, 2012

"Dance, Dance"


I am working on a series of "dance" paintings for a show in May.  My daughters and their friends are the models and they have great moves.  I'm really known for smaller works but am trying to find myself in these slightly larger works.  Both are 24" x 18".  Bigger brushes!