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| Shorthand, iPad painting |
I've always loved the symbols for shorthand--a secret way of writing--so I bought a small Gregg Shorthand Manual at the thrift shop. I intended to draw in it. I couldn't bring myself to mess up the pages (I have the same hesitancy with my neat sketchbooks--they're still pristine).
Instead, I used the kaleidoscope photobooth of my iPad to photograph a page; then added a layer with a painting. This was done in the Sketchbook app. I like the "transform" feature; I can move and resize the painting--no symbol poking her in the ear. I don't know the secretary in the above painting but I suspect she was influenced by my Sunday-night TV shows. I watch Call the Midwife (the clothing), The Good Wife, and Mad Men (the chair). Then I watch Mr. Selfridge on my PBS app (the women have this hairstyle). Who programs all the good shows for the same night?
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| 1961 |
I remember my days as a secretary--shorthand got me from the country to the big city of Washington, D.C.--working for the Federal Government, wearing hose that never matched my pale legs, and walking (even dancing The Twist) in HIGH HEELS. I loved it. In the photo above, my boss was away so I took over his desk at U.S. Department of Commerce--I was 19.
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Nice desk, hot shot.
ReplyDeleteYes, the bosses had the nice uncluttered desks. Mine was always piled with papers--never quite got that filing thing down. I'm a stack-in-chronological-order person.
ReplyDeleteWell, I never learned shorthand (but it has always fascinated me...it looks crazy!) I DID learn how to type and everyday I am grateful for that. (I have a couple of friends who skipped typing and they regret it!) I love your illustration based on all those references! (I don't watch any of those..though I tempted to check Mr. Selfridge). I also love the photo of you at your bosses desk. It would appear that you have always been a "pistol". (I too loved high heels. Those were the days!)
ReplyDeleteCeleste, I was always fascinated by the hieroglyphs in the dictionary, too. My first job was great; the people I met became lifelong friends; D.C. Even had streetcars at the time. High heels would kill me now. TV is a waste but you might like Mad Men (advertising). Then again, you might have had enough of that in real life.
DeleteGood golly! I'll bet that job was fun! You look cute! I was 2 at this time! LOL I took shorthand in high school for a semester and believe it or not, I still remember some of the symbols (a, e, n, m, s, f, d come to mind). I'm like you with the sketch books. First bad thing I do in them has me setting them aside in a misery of just having ruined them!
ReplyDeleteActually, the job was not easy, and no one understood my southern drawl--had to learn to talk (sort of). Most of my sketchbooks have no sketches--still blank.
DeleteYour painting is awesome, I wouldn't know where to start with the IPAD. You look like you belong behind that desk :-)
ReplyDeleteThank you Jane. You'd learn the iPad in no time, but we'd miss your your glowing watercolors.
DeleteCheeky girl, feet up on his desk! Such a cute picture.
ReplyDeleteIn school I took a course in shorthand, which I excelled in but never used while working as a secretary. You've inspired me with your ipad background to actually taking a look at getting one. Have a great week, Hallie.
Carole, I think you'd love the iPad drawing and painting apps. I know you like to try everything!
DeleteBut what would you do with all those pages you have?
Well Hallie- I'm in love with your iPad painting! I love the green of her dress against the red of her chair. She is tall and elegant and so self assured!
ReplyDeleteWhat a fabulous idea to photograph the page, kaleidoscope it with your app, and then paint the image on another layer. It's the perfect solution to collage without screwing up a treasure.
The photo of you in '61 is simply priceless! You too look elegant and self assured. Nineteen was a wonderful age and I'm so glad you were surrounded by people and an environment that stimulated you. I'm sure that growth contributed to who you are as an artist.
Secretaries ran the world! I guess now they are called administrative assistants, but I personally love the word 'secretary'. It stands alone, one of a kind, just like Hallie Farber.
Thank you PAMO. The book was printed in 1936; the only thing written in it is: Fats Waller, Midnite, June 18, 1938--must have been an exciting night.
DeleteD.C. was wonderful. First, I found the National Zoo, then I found the museums. My first art class was at The Smithsonian--portrait painting--taught by a handsome Italian named Bruno. He was the first "artist" I ever met and he looked the part--white tee shirt, sports jacket, khakis, and work boots! No one else dressed like that in 1962.
Who's that hot chick at the boss's desk? Oh it's you!
ReplyDeleteI was just culling through a bunch of books today in multiple bookcases and came across a shorthand book. I stared at it in fascination for a minute. I think my son bought it because he likes language and secret writings. Didn't know it had so many uses!
Great the way you incorporated all of the elements you mentioned from the 60's shows in your picture. And love the shorthand background. She looks like she worked in the next office from you!
Hi Dan. I try to cull books, too--hard to do--they just get moved. I'm out of practice with my shorthand; can't quite read my secret writings from years ago. I still buy the notebooks; they're just the right size for sketching, working on taxes, etc.
DeleteI'm missing your blog--haven't seen a painting recently.
I meant to comment when I saw this post last week. Your iPad paintings continue to fascinate me. I love the way you combine and collage things together. Seeing the shorthand as a background caught my eye but the photo of you from '61 is fabulous.
ReplyDeleteThank you Robin. Who knows? When I'm ready to move I might only have to pack up my iPad. Just kidding--I have too much stuff; there will probably be an on-sight auction or just a haul-away dump truck.
ReplyDeleteAnother clever creation. Looks like you are joining the digital crowd with the rest of us digi artists. Sure helps keeping down the stacks of paintings in my studio.
ReplyDeleteMy Sunday night TV watching sounds like yours, except I don't watch Call the Midwife and Mad Men. I loved MM, but have lost interest in it this year.
Eva, I'll be getting back to my stacks.
ReplyDeleteCall the Midwife is a beauty to watch--almost every scene is like a painting. Great photography or cinematography; whatever it's called (and I cry at least once every Sunday night--either sad or happy tears).
Your painting brings back times I would rather not re-experience. I type, but not accurately, so errors became a night mare and revisions the black pit of horror because I would have to re-type everything.
ReplyDeleteI have great respect for those who can manage the office job. I'm just not cut out for it. If there is a hell, it would be me doing office work.
My mother, who just turned 98, was a cracker jack secretary. She took dictation with Pitman short hand at 125 words a minute. She could type that fast with accuracy too.
She still maintains a secretarial order to her affairs. She was a book keeper too. She still balances her checkbook herself.
Lifeartist, you don't need to type. Your brush or pencil always hits exactly the right spot; you can't excel at everything.
DeleteTyping comes in handy now for working on the computer. Even when I was paid, I lacked order so, here in my house I usually know which room to search when looking for papers; and the dining room table holds current stuff. So far, that system has worked.