Strong Women
I am interested in women’s stories, particularly the daily lives of “ordinary” women who have pushed gender equality forward. In the “Strong Women” series, I have focused on stories from 1930s beauticians to the “essential workers” of the COVID pandemic and always. We can pause, take a moment, and appreciate strong women.
Thanks to my brother Larry Matelski who made the special frames.
Homage During the Pandemic and Always
There are five individual "homages." The project started during the COVID pandemic when society appreciated "essential workers" like healthcare workers, teachers, and grocery store workers.
As time went on I realized these "essential workers" are indispensable - always. They help our society function. I have added a farmer and a bus driver. There are many more. Who else are "essential workers" / or "essential people?"
![]() Homage During the Pandemic and AlwaysLet's recognize, appreciate and honor essential workers. Not only are farmers, healthcare workers, grocery workers, teachers, and bus drivers important during an epidemic, but they make our communities function everyday. We light a candle in their honor. Homage. Total size of the 5 Homage artworks: 35"h x 145"w. Thanks to Larry Matelski who made all of these special frames. The individual Homages follow. |
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![]() Homage - Grocery workerAcrylics on canvas, gilded wood, electronic votive candle and holder, surface cleaner. 34"H x 25"W |
![]() Homage - TeacherAcrylics on canvas, gilded wood, electronic votive candle and holder, fake apple, pencils. 34"H x 25"W |
![]() Homage - FarmerLet's recognize, appreciate and honor essential workers. Not only are farmers, healthcare workers, workers, grocery workers, teachers, and bus drivers important during an epidemic, but they make our communities function everyday. We light a candle in their honor. Homage. Acrylics on canvas, gilded wood, electronic votive candle and holder, seeds. 34"H x 25"W |
![]() Homage - Healthcare workerAcrylics on canvas, gilded wood, electronic votive candle and holder, fake vaccination card, empty vaccine vials, hypodermic needles. 34"H x 25"W |
![]() Homage - Bus DriverLet's recognize, appreciate and honor essential workers. Not only are farmers, healthcare workers, workers, grocery workers, teachers, and bus drivers important during an epidemic, but they make our communities function everyday. We light a candle in their honor. Homage. Acrylics on canvas, gilded wood, electronic votive candle and holder, bus pass. 34"H x 25"W |
![]() Honor the BeautymakersSince ancient times the "beauty makers" have made women feel good. They use skills and products to enhance "beauty." This diptych is an Homage to BeautyMakers. Let's recognize these talented people, essential for our well-being. Light a candle and join me in honoring them. Inspired by a historical photograph from the collection of the Neville Public Museum of Brown County. Each is 24"W x 30"H. Acrylics on procion-dyed canvas. Custom "Larry-designed" wood frames with objects. NFS |
![]() Dreaming of the WASPDreaming of piloting a plane. Inspired by the WASP of WWII, the 1.000+ courageous women pilots who served in the Army Air Corp. At the end of WWII, the WASP were disbanded and these remarkable women hung up their parachutes and went home. In 1977, the WASPs were finally granted the veteran status they had been promised. In 2010, they were given the Congressional Gold Medal. Inspirational women! "WASP"=Women Airforce Service Pilots. Acrylics on dyed canvas. 30"h x 24"w. available. |
![]() Women in Men's Jobs - 1942During WWII women did essential jobs to keep factories running. When the war was over, the women went home and the men got the jobs (with higher pay.) This machinist sports an ERA button. The Equal Rights Amendment was introduced in 1923. I hope it becomes part of the US Constitution in my lifetime. Inspired by a historical photograph from the collection of the Neville Public Museum of Brown County. Acrylics on dyed canvas; framed with a coordinating metal frame. 30"H x 28"W. NFS |
![]() Switchboard"Switchboard" is from a 1960 photo. At that time, switchboard operators manually connected calls by electric wires. Today, mobile phones make and receive calls by radio frequency. Since 1983, virtually 100% of the global population are reached by mobile phones. My, how communications have changed! Inspired by a historical photo from the collection of the Neville Public Museum of Brown County. Acrylics on a dyed canvas; framed with a metal frame. 24"H x 30"W. NFS |
![]() Invited (Self-Portrait)20"w x 28"h. Acrylics on dyed canvas. It is very hard to have a disability - even today after the Americans with Disability Act. I can only imagine how hard it is in countries without laws and accomodations. |
![]() HomageLet's recognize, appreciate and honor essential workers. Not only are healthcare workers, grocery workers, and teachers, important during an epidemic, but they make our communities function everyday. We light a candle in their honor. Homage. The Homage series continued with the Farmer and the Bus Driver. Acrylics on canvas, gilded wood, electronic votive candles in holders, fake apple, pencils, fake vaccination card, empty vaccination vials, hypodermic needles, cleaner. 34"H x 85"W |
![]() Eliza said,“I knew he would be acquitted. I knew it!"Eliza said,“I knew he would be acquitted. I knew it!" This painting was a part of the First Ladies project. It is of Eliza McArdle Johnson, wife of Andrew Johnson, #14 President of the USA. Married at 16 to the love of her life, Andrew Johnson, Eliza taught him how to do math. She owned enslaved people, liked her scrapbooks and had tuberculosis. Also, there was that impeachment problem… 12" x 12". Acrylics and collaged elements on procion-dyed canvas. sold |
![]() Top edge of the Eliza painting |
![]() Left edge of the Eliza painting |
![]() My Heroines: the WASP of WWIIAcrylics on dyed canvas. The Women Airforce Service Pilots (WASP) of WWII, the 1,000+ women pilots who flew planes in the Army Air Corp, inspired “My Heroines.” The WASP program was a huge success. At the end of WWII, the WASP were disbanded, and these remarkable women hung up their parachutes and went home. In 1977, the WASP were finally granted the veteran status they had been promised. In 2010, the WASPs were given the Congressional Gold Medal. Inspirational women! 18"H x 20"W. sold |