Women Over 50
Julie Shelton Smith
Women Over 50 is a portrait series that began in 2008, featuring oil-on-board paintings of women over 50 . Women pictured are from RI, MA, CO, and MN.
Available through the link below.
About Women Over 50
Several factors motivated me to start this project. My friend, Peter Hocking, revealed in a conversation in 2005 that he was painting 100 gay men. So I decided to paint 100 women. First I painted my friends; they then suggested others.
Then I went to Minneapolis where I painted my partner, Polly’s, friends. And then I met Jane Westerlund and Lauren Stringer who brought me whole families and book clubs. The project now has a life of its own it seems; people have heard about it and want to be part of it. I am so touched and amazed.
I became interested in groups of face paintings when I first saw Susanna Coffee’s paintings of herself in NY in the early 90’s. It was unexpectedly powerful, as were Gerhard Richter’s 48 paintings of paternity figures, which were displayed at the Museum of Modern Art in 2002 as part of his retrospective.
I started this project in 2008 and finished the first 100 paintings in 2013. I am enjoying the process so much that I want to continue into the second 100. I feel privileged to spend time doing something I love while spending 6 hours or more engaging in very meaningful conversation and hearing some really wild life experiences. We talk a lot, mostly about families of origin. Almost everyone has a pretty crazy tale to tell. I certainly do. This became a common way of connecting, telling our stories. I wish I could write some of these truly amazing biographies but it would shatter the intimacy of the experience.
Nearly everyone says it is an uncommon and relaxing experience sitting for 6 hours, being nonproductive, just talking and listening. Hardly any of us ever do that during daytime hours without guilt. We feel we have to be busy during the day.
Many sitters express how unusual it is to be truly looked at. It is not the norm in our culture to be so closely, visually studied. Mostly we feel it’s rude or invasive but it actually creates an intimate space for painter and sitter. No longer are the over 50s invisible. This project is about regaining visibility and power in a culture that is youth obsessed.
I think of the 100 individual paintings as one big, strong, powerful image of the strength of older women. Aren’t we grand? Shouldn’t we be seen? And with the baby boomers coming of age there are now so many of us. We are a community of older, mature women who are proud to recognize each other and our many diverse accomplishments. Our progress has made it easier for our younger sisters to make their marks in business and science and the arts. We are a community of wise women and we celebrate ourselves. We are fabulous. We are here.
The Process
I divide the sittings into three days consisting of two hours each day. The first day I draw using only Raw Umber because it dries overnight. I use Baltic Birch plywood because I like the solidity of working on board rather than the bounce of canvas. I cover the surface with paint and then draw in the features and take out paint with a cloth so that the drawing shows form and volume. It looks like a monoprint.
On the second day I mix the colors and try to get the board covered even if the colors aren’t exactly right. Color is relative. So if I can get all the color onto the painting on the second day, I can concentrate on the third day refining, changing, getting it right.
This is a highly focused process of looking, seeing, more looking, translating a three dimensional person sitting in front of me into a two dimensional representation of who I think that person is. The process is very intense. After it’s over and the sitter is gone, I pull out another board and use up the paint in a completely free and abstract way. This process uses another part of my brain. I work on several abstracts at once until I feel I’ve brought the painting to resolution. Sometimes I do something that is just right and needs no change. Those are the magic moments I love. This is the flip side of the portrait paintings, pure abstract thinking and action, as opposed to the very close and highly focused observation of the portraits. It completes the whole.
I do the paintings from life. I find I can’t get the information I need from photographs. I need to hear the person talking, watch their facial expressions, find out who they are in order to distill their essence into a painting. These are not glamorized portraits. I want to know who the person really is.
Julie Shelton Smith, Newport, RI, 11.5" x 16", oil on panel, 2008 [Private Collection]
1. Peg Laurence, Matunuck, RI, 11.5" x 16", oil on panel, 2013 [Private Collection]
2. Ann Sanders, Provincetown, RI, 11.5" x 16", oil on panel, 2013 [Private Collection]
3. Polly Franchot, Minneapolis, MN, 11.5" x 16", oil on panel, 2013 [Private Collection]
4. Deborah Heller, Provincetown, MA, 11.5" x 16", oil on panel, 2013 [Private Collection]
5. Barbara Wohlgemuth, Provincetown, MA, 11.5" x 16", oil on panel, 2013 [Private Collection]
6. Jane Carey, Newport, RI, 11.5" x 16", oil on panel, 2013 [Private Collection]
7. Dominique Alfandre, Newport, RI, 11.5" x 16", oil on panel, 2013 [Private Collection]
8. Kathy Irving, Newport, RI, 11.5" x 16", oil on panel, 2013 [Private Collection]
9. Jemison Faust, Newport, RI, 11.5" x 16", oil on panel, 2013 [Private Collection]
10. Elizabeth Delude-Dix, Newport, RI, 11.5" x 16", oil on panel, 2013 [Private Collection]
11. Gay Bentre, Newport, RI, 11.5" x 16", oil on panel, 2013 [Private Collection]
12. Nuala Pell, Newport, RI, 11.5" x 16", oil on panel, 2013 [Private Collection]
13. Val Moore, Minneapolis, MN, 11.5" x 16", oil on panel, 2013 [Private Collection]
14. Jane Westerlund, Minneapolis, MN, 11.5" x 16", oil on panel, 2013 [Private Collection]
15. Susan Swatosh, Minneapolis, MN, 11.5" x 16", oil on panel, 2013 [Private Collection]
16. Judy Lobby, Minneapolis, MN, 11.5" x 16", oil on panel, 2013 [Private Collection]
17. Carol Lennington, Minneapolis, MN, 11.5" x 16", oil on panel, 2013 [Private Collection]
18. Lila Jacob, Minneapolis, MN, 11.5" x 16", oil on panel, 2013 [Private Collection]
19. Kay Gray, Minneapolis, MN, 11.5" x 16", oil on panel, 2013 [Private Collection]
20. Lesly Etzel, Minneapolis, MN, 11.5" x 16", oil on panel, 2013 [Private Collection]
21. Bouki Labhard, Minneapolis, MN, 11.5" x 16", oil on panel, 2013 [Private Collection]
22. Gin Weidenfeller, Minneapolis, MN, 11.5" x 16", oil on panel, 2013 [Private Collection]
23. Constance Metcalf, Newport, RI, 11.5" x 16", oil on panel, 2013 [Private Collection]
24. Jane Iandolo, Newport, RI, 11.5" x 16", oil on panel, 2013 [Private Collection]
25. Barbara Shamblin, Newport, RI, 11.5" x 16", oil on panel, 2013 [Private Collection]
26. Lauren Stringer, Minneapolis, MN, 11.5" x 16", oil on panel, 2013 [Private Collection]
27. Pamela King-Rediger, Minneapolis, MN, 11.5" x 16", oil on panel, 2013 [Private Collection]
28. Caroline Halliday, Minneapolis, MN, 11.5" x 16", oil on panel, 2013 [Private Collection]
29. Ruth Taylor, Newport, RI, 11.5" x 16", oil on panel, 2013 [Private Collection]
30. Priscilla Alfandre, Newport, RI, 11.5" x 16", oil on panel, 2013 [Private Collection]
31. Michelle Allaux, Newport, RI, 11.5" x 16", oil on panel, 2013 [Private Collection]
32. Cathy McCulley, Minneapolis, MN, 11.5" x 16", oil on panel, 2013 [Private Collection]
33. Jane Powers, Minneapolis, MN, 11.5" x 16", oil on panel, 2013 [Private Collection]
34. Lee Galda, Minneapolis, MN, 11.5" x 16", oil on panel, 2013 [Private Collection]
35. Jacque Russom, Newport, RI, 11.5" x 16", oil on panel, 2013 [Private Collection]
36. Alayne Barnicoat, Newport, RI, 11.5" x 16", oil on panel, 2013 [Private Collection]
37. Liz Hollander, Newport, RI, 11.5" x 16", oil on panel, 2013 [Private Collection]
38. Sarah Richardson, Newport, RI, 11.5" x 16", oil on panel, 2013 [Private Collection]
39. Judy Ferenbach, Boston, MA, 11.5" x 16", oil on panel, 2013 [Private Collection]
40. Cynthia Hajjar, Newport, RI, 11.5" x 16", oil on panel, 2013 [Private Collection]
41. Carolfaye Meadows, Minneapolis, MN, 11.5" x 16", oil on panel, 2013 [Private Collection]
42. Francisca Rosenthal, Minneapolis, MN, 11.5" x 16", oil on panel, 2013 [Private Collection]
43. Jacquie Rudelius, Minneapolis, MN, 11.5" x 16", oil on panel, 2013 [Private Collection]
44. Linda Vieira, Minneapolis, MN, 11.5" x 16", oil on panel, 2013 [Private Collection]
45. Jane Resh Thomas, Minneapolis, MN, 11.5" x 16", oil on panel, 2013 [Private Collection]
46. Susan Furr, Minneapolis, MN, 11.5" x 16", oil on panel, 2013 [Private Collection]
47. Michele Ingram, Newport, RI, 11.5" x 16", oil on panel, 2013 [Private Collection]
48. Mary Meagher, Newport, RI, 11.5" x 16", oil on panel, 2013 [Private Collection]
49. Lee Brown, Minneapolis, MN, 11.5" x 16", oil on panel, 2013 [Private Collection]
50. Beth Barron, Minneapolis, MN, 11.5" x 16", oil on panel, 2013 [Private Collection]
51. Kathy Kobb, Newport, RI, 11.5" x 16", oil on panel, 2013 [Private Collection]
52. Karen Romer, Providence, RI, 11.5" x 16", oil on panel, 2013 [Private Collection]
53. Valerie Sheehan, Newport, RI, 11.5" x 16", oil on panel, 2013 [Private Collection]
54. Rodie Siegler, Newport, RI, 11.5" x 16", oil on panel, 2013 [Private Collection]
55. Rosemary Day, Newport, RI, 11.5" x 16", oil on panel, 2013 [Private Collection]
56. Kate Clifford, Newport, RI, 11.5" x 16", oil on panel, 2013 [Private Collection]
57. Candy Antone, Newport, RI, 11.5" x 16", oil on panel, 2013 [Private Collection]
58. Barbara Chappell, Newport, RI, 11.5" x 16", oil on panel, 2013 [Private Collection]
59. Linda Goldenberg, Minneapolis, MN, 11.5" x 16", oil on panel, 2013 [Private Collection]
60. Ruth Thumbtzen, Newport, RI, 11.5" x 16", oil on panel, 2013 [Private Collection]
61. Margery Sweet, Boston, MA, 11.5" x 16", oil on panel, 2013 [Private Collection]
62. Lisa Stubbs, Newport, RI, 11.5" x 16", oil on panel, 2013 [Private Collection]
63. Rachel Cocroft, Newport, RI, 11.5" x 16", oil on panel, 2013 [Private Collection]
64. Kathy Green, Telluride, CO, 11.5" x 16", oil on panel, 2013 [Private Collection]
65. Deb Stevens, Telluride, CO, 11.5" x 16", oil on panel, 2013 [Private Collection]
66. Kathy Metzger, Telluride, CO, 11.5" x 16", oil on panel, 2013 [Private Collection]
67. Kris Lynch, Minneapolis, MN, 11.5" x 16", oil on panel, 2013 [Private Collection]
68. Adaline Shinkle, Minneapolis, MN, 11.5" x 16", oil on panel, 2013 [Private Collection]
69. Karen Benson, Newport, RI, 11.5" x 16", oil on panel, 2013 [Private Collection]
70. Melinda Moos, Minneapolis, MN, 11.5" x 16", oil on panel, 2013 [Private Collection]
71. Jane Hence, Newport, RI, 11.5" x 16", oil on panel, 2013 [Private Collection]
72. Jeanne Stewart, Telluride, CO, 11.5" x 16", oil on panel, 2013 [Private Collection]
73. Baerbel Hacke, Telluride, CO, 11.5" x 16", oil on panel, 2013 [Private Collection]
74. Josephine Fallenius, Telluride, CO, 11.5" x 16", oil on panel, 2013 [Private Collection]
75. Dottie Adler, Concord, MA, 11.5" x 16", oil on panel, 2013 [Private Collection]
76. Rozlyn Garfield, Provincetown, MA, 11.5" x 16", oil on panel, 2013 [Private Collection]
77. Rachel Balaban, Newport, RI, 11.5" x 16", oil on panel, 2013 [Private Collection]
78. Andrea Hollis, Newport, RI, 11.5" x 16", oil on panel, 2013 [Private Collection]
79. June Campbell, Newport, RI, 11.5" x 16", oil on panel, 2013 [Private Collection]
80. Kathy Kroger, Newport, RI, 11.5" x 16", oil on panel, 2013 [Private Collection]
81. Sheila McCurdy, Newport, RI, 11.5" x 16", oil on panel, 2013 [Private Collection]
82. Jane Kogan, Provincetown, MA, 11.5" x 16", oil on panel, 2013 [Private Collection]
83. Kay Parent, Newport, RI, 11.5" x 16", oil on panel, 2013 [Private Collection]
84. Liz Franks, Newport, RI, 11.5" x 16", oil on panel, 2013 [Private Collection]
85. Gini Purviance, Newport, RI, 11.5" x 16", oil on panel, 2013 [Private Collection]
86. Christie Smith, Newport, RI, 11.5" x 16", oil on panel, 2013 [Private Collection]
87. Lise Iwon, Newport, RI, 11.5" x 16", oil on panel, 2013 [Private Collection]
88. Alison Vareika, Newport, RI, 11.5" x 16", oil on panel, 2013 [Private Collection]
89. Martha Murphy, Minneapolis, MN, 11.5" x 16", oil on panel, 2013 [Private Collection]
90. Angela Dye, Telluride, CO, 11.5" x 16", oil on panel, 2013 [Private Collection]
91. Lucinda Carr, Telluride, CO, 11.5" x 16", oil on panel, 2013 [Private Collection]
92. Myrth York, Newport, RI, 11.5" x 16", oil on panel, 2013 [Private Collection]
93. Michelle Roche, Newport, RI, 11.5" x 16", oil on panel, 2013 [Private Collection]
94. Linda Kushner, Newport, RI, 11.5" x 16", oil on panel, 2013 [Private Collection]
95. Jennifer Wood, Newport, RI, 11.5" x 16", oil on panel, 2013 [Private Collection]
96. Heather Florence, Newport, RI, 11.5" x 16", oil on panel, 2013 [Private Collection]
97. Carolyn Frank, Newport, RI, 11.5" x 16", oil on panel, 2013 [Private Collection]
98. Rhoda Perry, Newport, RI, 11.5" x 16", oil on panel, 2013 [Private Collection]
99. Nancy Carruoila, Newport, RI, 11.5" x 16", oil on panel, 2013 [Private Collection]
100. Pebbles Wadsworth, Newport, RI, 11.5" x 16", oil on panel, 2013 [Private Collection]
101. Margaret Thielsch, N.Kingstown, RI, 11.5" x 16", oil on panel [Private Collection]
102. Mary Beth Murphy, Newport, RI, 11.5" x 16", oil on panel [Private Collection]
103. Gina Ferrigno, Telluride, CO, 11.5" x 16", oil on panel [Private Collection]
104. Angela Watkins, Telluride, CO, 11.5" x 16", oil on panel [Private Collection]
105. Meredith Nemirov, Telluride, CO, 11.5" x 16", oil on panel [Private Collection]
106. Amy Levek, Telluride, CO, 11.5" x 16", oil on panel [Private Collection]
107. Bobbi Smith, Telluride, CO, 11.5" x 16", oil on panel [Private Collection]
108. Marti Lingion, Telluride, CO, 11.5" x 16", oil on panel [Private Collection]
109. Brenda Paulson, Telluride, CO, 11.5" x 16", oil on panel [Private Collection]
110. Kathy Rohrer, Telluride, CO, 11.5" x 16", oil on panel [Private Collection]
111. Carol Lee, Telluride, CO, 11.5" x 16", oil on panel [Private Collection]
112. Danielle Healy, Newport, RI, 11.5" x 16", oil on panel [Private Collection]
113. Victoria Polk, Newport, RI, 11.5" x 16", oil on panel [Private Collection]
114. Eileen Warburton, Newport, RI, 11.5" x 16", oil on panel [Private Collection]
115. Angie Koziara, Newport, RI, 11.5" x 16", oil on panel [Private Collection]
116. Sarah Atkins, Newport, RI, 11.5" x 16", oil on panel [Private Collection]
117. Suzanna Angellilo, Newport, RI, 11.5" x 16", oil on panel [Private Collection]
118. Marki Knopp, Telluride, CO, 11.5" x 16", oil on panel [Private Collection]
119. Carol Dix, Telluride, CO, 11.5" x 16", oil on panel [Private Collection]
120. Tawne Decker, Telluride, CO, 11.5" x 16", oil on panel [Private Collection]
121. Florie Kane, Telluride, CO, 11.5" x 16", oil on panel [Private Collection]
122. Gin Eborn, Telluride, CO, 11.5" x 16", oil on panel [Private Collection]
123. Louise Venden, Provincetown, MA, 11.5" x 16", oil on panel [Private Collection]
124. Sally Deane, Provincetown, MA, 11.5" x 16", oil on panel [Private Collection]
125. Byllye Avery, Provincetown, MA, 11.5" x 16", oil on panel [Private Collection]
126. Nancy Grinnell, Newport, RI, 11.5" x 16", oil on panel [Private Collection]
127. Alexandra MacDonald, Provincetown, MA, 11.5" x 16", oil on panel [Private Collection]
128. Laurie Glassman, Provincetown, MA, 11.5" x 16", oil on panel [Private Collection]
129. Carla Bettano, Provincetown, MA, 11.5" x 16", oil on panel [Private Collection]
130. Rosemary Hilliard, Provincetown, MA, 11.5" x 16", oil on panel [Private Collection]
131. Sol Rodriguez, Newport, RI, 11.5" x 16", oil on panel [Private Collection]
132. Christina Soto St John, 11.5" x 16", oil on panel [Private Collection]
133. Mercedes Soto, Providence, RI, 11.5" x 16", oil on panel [Private Collection]
134. Elise Cozzi, Provincetown, MA, 11.5" x 16", oil on panel [Private Collection]
135. Pam Gomes, Providence, RI, 11.5" x 16", oil on panel [Private Collection]
136. Sue McNally, Newport, RI, 11.5" x 16", oil on panel [Private Collection]