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...