The Work of Andrew Wyeth

Andrew Wyeth was one of the greatest American visual artists of the 20th century. Many of you are already familiar with his work. Namely Christina’s World, which is currently on display at MOMA.

Wyeth was born to paint. In fact, he started drawing before he could even read. Due to his less than ideal health, he was home-schooled throughout his entire childhood. His father was his only teacher. He actually produced illustrations under his fathers name as a teen.
Wyeth had a tremendous amount of admiration for some of America’s greatest pioneers– Emerson, Tolstoy, Thoreau. They all shared a profound relationship with nature. This is clearly reflected in most all of his paintings.
Fact of the matter is, Andrew Wyeth is one of the most noteworthy gentleman to have been born on American soil. His name is, and should be synonymous with true American culture.
I would love to have met the man before he passed away in 2009, if only to have shaken his hand. That would have been an impressive conversation piece.

Historic Richmond

I’m always researching the history of my hometown Richmond, VA. Here are a few striking B&W photographs I stumbled upon.

Woodlawn Farms, 1954

Kids playing ball, 1958

Street sanitation, 1955

Nash car dealership, 1954 | Peep the gas mileage!

Jim Haley’s Occidental Restaurant, 1960

Mosque elevator operator, 1958

Tennis player surrounded by spectators, 1956

’56 Mercury parked on Monument Ave., 1956

Swift Ice Cream Co., 1955

Airport, Aero-Way Transient Aircraft Service hangar, 1955

Atlantic Ref. Co., rear station, service station plaza, 1959

Soldiers leaving for camp, 1958

Thalhimers phonograph, 1957

Patrons sitting in a diner at 802 Hull Street, 1955

G.E. Supply TV trailer, 1954

Photos Courtesy of Library of Virginia. Thank you & you’re welcome.

The Tuskegee Airmen

The Tuskegee Airmen were the first African American military aviators in the United States armed forces during WWII.

Back then the US military was racially segregated, you know, like most of America, but despite these adversities they trained hard and flew with pride.

I won’t give you a history lesson today, however, if you aren’t familiar with the story behind these courageous young men I urge you to visit your local library and check out a copy of Red Tails Black Wings by John B. Holway or something similar.

These cats had style.

Photos found via Google