Art is politics The Tattooist ( circa 2012)

The Tattooist (circa 1940)

I am a die hard Norman Rockwell fan. I believe that he did as much for the acceptance of civil rights for people of different colors as any march. Imagine the impact of his paintings such as the Problem We Live With, New Kids in the Neighborhood, etc. when they were received in over 2 million households for each edition. It caused people to stop and think and examine their values. 

Have you ever wondered what  Norman Rockwell produce today? One of my favorite iconic Norman Rockwell images is, The Tattooist ( circa 1940). Jane's review of Norman Rockwell's , The Tattooist, states that Rockwell’s work is an excellent example of American art because his paintings depict distinctly American senses of the mid 19th century. They reflect domestic American life before and after World War Two. The Tattooist pokes fun at the American man, as many men during this time would have served time in the military, and the life they lived traveling from base to base. The many names of girlfriends represent the nomadic life he and other men in the military lived. Many are unaware that Rockwell,used photographs as an aide in doing most of his paintings. 

 If I could talk to Norman Rockwell I would ask him why he named the piece The Tattooist instead of the Tattoo? I wonder if he foresaw the changing attitudes about the body as the canvas. I would enquire about his thoughts of the  woman as tattoo artist? Did he believe the tattoo to be art. I would ask him his thoughts on the evolving role of women in the military. We would discuss the historic  Repeal of Don’t ask Don’t Tell Act of 2010.   The lifting of the ban of women in combat roles? I set about creating what I thought Norman Rockwell would produce today. I felt it important to depict to a female tattoo artist. In an open call to female tattoo artist, Charis Turner ( Chaotic) owner of controlled Chaos Studio fit the bill.  She was knowledgeable about the tattoos that would have been popular during the era in which Rockwell crafted The Tattooist. Turner proved to be very essential to the project. She was an expert in her art form. My model  Beth Ann  Mock is dressed in military fatigues and the exact names that were tattooed on the male soldiers arm are tattooed on the arm of my female soldier. Of course being female she is not as large and over powering as Rockwell’s soldier.  She is feminine . She is a soldier and she no longer has to hide her sexual orientation. Prior to the shoot I shared with both models my experience in the military watching a female soldier discriminated against because of her sexual orientation. She had been accused of "coming onto another female soldier."Barely 18 years old,  she was made to march separate from our platoon while the Drill Sergeant, who ironically, was a black, female yelled at her, "you have no place in my army!" I will never forget the dignified way in which she held her head as she marched. It is my desire to continue to push us forward thru pictures and to show, American beauty and growth while depicting the challenges that remain.  I want to capture the idealism and essence of America as it is in present day. My heart tells me that he would be pleased at my attempts. My series Art is Politics is dedicated to Norman Rockwell. 

The Tattooist ( circa 2012)
In Honor of the Repeal of Don't Ask, Don't Tell...

Actor Head Shoot - Laurence Pete

Highly Effective Headshot - Photography for actors in Oklahoma based on your individual essence. Life, Depth, Fun.

IPS – Sierra Leone Shedding ‘War-Torn’ Image to Attract Tourists | Inter Press Service

IPS – Sierra Leone Shedding ‘War-Torn’ Image to Attract Tourists | Inter Press Service

I believe I will contact the President  of Sierra Leone and share my experience and images;)

An African-American discovers her ancestral origin…

  

 I am unsure of where to begin my story. It is thru mitochondrial DNA testing that I learned that my genetic origins are from the Temne people of Sierra Leone. Perhaps, I should begin with sharing that since I was a child I had wondered where my African ancestor derived.  Once I learned my genetic origin it took 5 long, daunting years to raise the money to return to Sierra Leone. Ironically, the discovery of my ancestral origin was around the time that I had received, as a gift, a partially working camera that I had no clue how to operate.  My journey started long before I got Sierra Leone. It was not an easy one but as the old Negro spiritual goes, I wouldn't take nothing for my journey now...

Mythical Creature

I was being ferried, to the place my African ancestor had been taken. As we got closer to land I could see what at first I could only describe as a “mythical creature”. I soon discovered it was a small child. He was alone and dangerously, familiar with the water. He was just as intrigued by me as I was of him. It was as though I had my own personal town crier  to declare my return. He led the way everywhere I went.

Girl Tossing Grain

Gay Pasley, felt a strong kinship with the West African community, after she learned that her genetic origin was of the Temne people through mitochondrial DNA testing. Determined to make a difference, Pasley, who is also a Registered Nurse, traveled to Sierra Leone, West Africa as nurse, humanitarian and medical photographer. The villagers were eager to meet the black American who had returned home. While there, in keeping with Langston Hughes poem “My people”, she captured the beauty of the people and the country of Sierra Leone, Africa.