"HerStory" - A History of Women's Service in the Military
By Artist, Ida Mae
Historical Narrative Art was developed as a way for artists to shape the worldview of a culture. The conceptual content of my works reflects the Cultural Revolution of women in the military. The study of historical military propaganda show how women were seen as caretakers in paintings from the first two world wars. Modern wars can reflect a major change in traditional gender roles in both narrative historical art and portraiture.
My art imprints the cultural ideas of women into the hearts and minds of every nation to highlight gender roles.
A military that excludes the woman in arms is not a true reflection of our armed forces. Narrative Art and Portraiture are an examination of the values, perceptions, and beliefs of women in America. The academic standards of realism are essential in each work; mostly this process will mirror the societal views of women in the military I hope to interpret. Beyond militarism, my art remains an authentic legacy of a female American artist.
As you read on, you will learn the personal stories of the women depicted in the "HerStory" series. This Veteran's Day, we remember their service and strength along with all who have served and are serving in the military.
Admiral Howard
July 01, 2018
Acrylic and Oil On Canvas
20 x 16 x 0.25 in
$500.00
HerStory:
Admiral Michelle Howard, a U.S. military officer and the first woman to become a four-star admiral in the U.S. Navy. She made history as the first African American
woman to captain a U.S. naval ship in 1999. She is depicted here in the navy blue digital camouflage.
Ana & Child
July 01, 2020
Oil on Panel
4 x 3 x 2 in
$1,200.00
HerStory:
One of first female engagement team to deploy from Fort Bliss, Texas. She nurtures her children each day after training more than 10 hours in preparation for a yearlong
deployment to Afghanistan. It is a new war and mothers are part of the fight.
At Ease
Acrylic On Canvas Board
$1,200.00
HerStory:
No, the Navy is not an all female force but in this painting Admiral Michelle Howard is a beacon of light showing all women that they can achieve the highest military merits. Today women make up less than 20% of the armed forces ranks.
Brenda Robinson
January 2020
Watercolor On Paper
18 x 24 x 0.25 in
$500.00
HerStory:
Brenda Robinson became the first black female Naval aviator in 1980. She is slated to reveal a book titled 'The Very First Raven,' which is depicted here through icons of ravens in flight. Watercolor is used to depict depth through a whimsical narrative of a powerful girl inline with a plane.
Brenda Robinson
August 01, 2019
Charcoal & Acrylic Paint on Paper
16 x 20 x 0.25 in
$500.00
HerStory:
Brenda E. Robinson is the first black woman to earn her wings of gold as a naval aviator. This painting is created in black and white charcoal on rose colored paper using a
traditional portrait composition. My use of mixed wet and dry media is a representation of my obsession in pushing each medium beyond the traditional application.
Brigader Jeannie Leavitt
October 01, 2018
Acrylic On Canvas
20 x 16 x 0.25 in
$300.00
HerStory:
Jeannie Leavitt is the first female fighter pilot and leads the way for hundreds of women in the profession of military air-women.
Brown's Quiet Takeoff
October 01, 2020
Watercolor On Paper
10 x 8 x 0.25 in
$500.00
HerStory:
US F-16 Fighter Pilot, Lieutenant Ariel Brown, in full flight gear strapped into her cockpit before takeoff. She is illustrated here in watercolor. The soft pastels capture the quiet femininity women bring to a military full of noise and testosterone.
Cannoneer Beatty
July 01, 2018
Acrylic and Oil On Canvas
20 x 16 x 0.5 in
$500.00
HerStory:
Pfc. Katherine Beatty is the Army's first female cannoneer. She is depicted in oil and acrylic paint on canvas. I chose to depict her in black and white because she is in an
occupation that is tough and her apparent beauty is not the skill she needs to stay alive. The dark clouds represent the dark before the day that many female Soldiers experience as they navigate the pathless military careers.
Captain Haver
January 2020
Watercolor On Paper
18 x 24 x 0.25 in
$500.00
HerStory:
Captain Shayne Lynne Haver is one of the first female US Army Rangers to complete the school in 2015. She is depicted in watercolor during a training session at Fort Benning training facility in Georgia. The abstract use of watercolor tells a story of bravery and strength.
Drill Sergeant Standing
October 01, 2018
Acrylic On Canvas
20 x 16 x 0.25 in
$200.00
HerStory:
A portrait that is depicted from the rear isn't immediately recognizable, but here it symbolizes the female presence in the armed forces. The military creates gender roles through costuming each member as a symbol of there roles while in uniform.
Fading to the Abstract
Acrylic On Canvas
20 x 16 x 0.25 in
$300.00
HerStory:
The frontal position and outward stare of the Soldier in this self-portrait directly confronts and engages the viewer. The camouflage adorns her and continues to push and pull her to reflect the changing perception of gender roles in military culture.
General Leavitt on the Move
August 01, 2019
Acrylic On Canvas
20 x 16 x 0.25 in
$500.00
HerStory:
Maj. Gen. Jeannie Marie Leavitt is a United States Air Force general officer. She became the U.S. Air Force's first female fighter pilot in 1993, and was the first woman to command a USAF combat fighter wing. Her portrait is depicted in acrylic and oil paint. I used the digital camouflage to describe the military's contemporary fight
in a digital age. Her hair is not her traditional braid and bangs but illustrates a woman in the wind and on the move.
Her Bun
January 01, 2019
Acrylic and Oil On Canvas
20 x 16 x 0.25 in
$300.00
HerStory:
The female anatomy is strongly depicted here in the unisex uniform. Ironically, even in a minimal composition the female form is strong and legible.
Navy Pilot Lt. Loree Draude Hirschman
October 01, 2018
Acrylic On Canvas
20 x 16 x 0.25 in
$420.00
HerStory:
Loree Draude Hirschman served in the US Navy for 10 years, from 1989 to 1999 and left active duty as a Lt. Commander. She was one of the first female aviators to make the West Coast deployment of the U.S. Navy aircraft carrier. This paintings is created in acrylic paint on canvas. The illustrated contrasting composition highlights only her eyes as the rest of her body is covered while she is in
flight.
PTSD on the Train
October 01, 2018
Acrylic and Oil On Canvas
24 x 30 x 1 in
$2,000.00
HerStory:
This oil painting describes a true story of a female Soldier suffering from PTSD. The use of blue and orange help demonstrate the mood and fear of living with PTSD.
Sergeant Donna Johnson
July 01, 2019
Acrylic On Canvas
20 x 16 x 0.25 in
$500.00
HerStory:
Sergeant Donna Johnson was 29 when she died in Khost, Afghanistan, of injuries caused by a suicide bomber. This portrait is painted in acrylic and oil paint on canvas in an illustrated pixel pattern which is used in the digital camouflage pattern worn by Soldiers.
Serving in Sickness and in Health
August 01, 2019
Watercolor and Ink On Paper
20 x 16 x 0.25 in
$1,200.00
HerStory:
The Department of Defense does not support scalp therapies for hair restoration, although extreme stress is a major cause of hair loss in the military. Many women suffer alone and do not share their fears of military life. These stresses often create depression and are revealed as weight loss from malnutrition, hair loss, and even isolation.
Sgt. Donna Johnson
April 01, 2018
Acrylic On Canvas
20 x 16 x 0.25 in
$400.00
HerStory:
Sgt. Donna Johnson was killed in action during her service in the US Army during Operation Enduring Freedom, Afghanistan; October 1, 2012.
SSG Calamia
January 01, 2019
Acrylic and Oil Paint On Canvas
20 x 16 x 0.25 in
$280.00
Location: Charlotte Art League at The Station House 4100 Raleigh Street Charlotte, NC 28206
HerStory:
Women in uniform are a symbol of modern feminism. The likeness of my own sister, Talitha, is captured in this portrait where she is adorned in the classic digital print field uniform. The acrylic painting is created on canvas and uses brush strokes to illustrate warpaint. The ironic use of contrasting colors also alludes to women's use of makeup for the purpose of beauty and adornment.
Staff Sgt Alexandria Mae Morrow
February 01, 2019
Acrylic and Oil Paint On Canvas
20 x 16 x 0.25 in
$280.00
Location: Charlotte Art League at The Station House 4100 Raleigh Street Charlotte, NC 28206
HerStory:
Staff Sgt. Alexandria Mae Morrow, 25, died in 2017. She suffered fatal head injuries while performing maintenance duties as a weapons loader. Her beauty stands behind each layer that describes the military history.
Tammy and Her Girls
October 01, 2020
Ink On Paper
24 x 18 x 0.25 in
$1,200.00
HerStory:
Ladda Tammy Duckworth is a retired Army National Guard lieutenant colonel serving as the junior democratic United States Senator and mother of two girls. The Thai mother is depicted with her two children using ink washes on paper. This portrait is inspired by Norman Rockwell, the American illustrator. I wanted to show how a powerful woman can influence the gender roles of girls through the life she lives.
To the men, women, and families who have served in our Military, we thank you for your service and your sacrifices. Today, we honor you, we remember you, and we salute you.
For 8 years, Ida Mae served in the Army. She knew that her creative spirit could flourish as a photojournalist. She used a keen eye to document the Soldiers in war and rigorous training. In training she captured angles that showed the essence of her subject. It could be seen that her love for lighting and composition was captured in each image. In Ida Mae's studio, her social projects range from exploring the humble origins of small farms, minimal living and history of women in the armed forces. Each work is a commentary on historic documentation of a person or a suggestion of the social group. The ephemeral photography is a major part of her creative process. Although the subject matter of her portfolio changes, the traditional formal elements remain to be seen in each work.
ida.tate@gmail.com - 662.648.9095
Read Ida Mae's full biography here and to view more of Ida Mae's work in our November 2020 Virtual Exhibit at https://www.clovergallery120.org/2020-november-artist-exhibit
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