She Was a Blonde

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My mother was blonde with lovely long legs, a beautiful figure and a sweet face. She and dad dated from the time they were in their very early teens during the mid 30s. Dad said that during lunch at East High in Denver, they would go across the street to a little soda shop and plan their life together. They were married in 1939 and loved one another for 59 years.

They made a striking couple. She looked so feminine against his slim, tall physique and black hair. I think she must have been on my mind when I drew this portrait.

My dad’s devotion for my mother was matched only by his love for piano jazz. He had a huge collection of 78 records and I grew up hearing jazz performed by all the best. Erroll Garner was one of his favorites. Ours was a very romantic house.

Going Up and Down

Thought you might like to know a few of the dramatic ups and downs of my life. I have had hundreds -- no, more like thousands of them.

In Seattle, Nordstrom only sold shoes. In 1963 it merged with Best Apparel. While my fiancé and I were saving money for our first apartment, I worked at Best Apparel as an elevator operator. I wore a sassy little uniform and white gloves.

"Please step to the back of the car," I said sweetly. "Mezzanine -- Bridal to your left, Customer service to your right. Watch your step, please...."

My right arm was awesome from opening and closing the elevator door so many, many times.

Wanted: Plump Body and Tiny Waist

When I painted this nude, I had no idea I was tapping into an ancient male urge.

Like millions of other women I've always believed that long legs, tall height and small weight are the standards of beauty today. It's no secret that all of us are conditioned by the high-fashion business and advertising.

However, a group of American natural scientists headed by Michel Hopkins discovered that for today’s man the most appealing part of the female anatomy is – believe it or not – the waist, and the smaller the better.





However, if we dig past the media and deeper into the male psyche, men truly are searching for a female body that tells about her health and fertility – that means a plump body shape and small waist. These indicate small abdominal fat deposits and the high level of the female sex hormone – estrogen. Hence the ancient body of the “fertility goddess”.



I think we need some ice cream.