Lost Photos, Found Paintings by Karen Maddox · Lost Photos, Found Paintings by Karen Maddox Lost...

Lost Photos, Found Paintings by Karen Maddox

Lost Photos, Found Paintings embodies 51

two-dimensional works consisting of self-,

individual- and group-portraits. As oil

portraiture is my area of focus, the majority of

the paintings are rendered in oil on canvas, a few

small acrylic pieces, one watercolor and eight

water-soluble oil pastel drawings. What began

as a vehicle to deal with bereavement of family

members who gave encouragement along life’s

journey—grew to become original oil on canvas

compositions inspired by copies made before loss of family photo album which

symbolize life’s memorable moments. As the conceptual process progressed, I

found through applying varying thicknesses of oil paints on canvas experimenting

with various brush strokes; compositional elements within several works are

comparable to the storytelling of Vermeer, Tanner & Hayden, impressionism of

Renoir & Manet, multiple portraiture processes of Rembrant &Van Gogh, and

surrealism of Chagall. Representative of one life that has run full circle—returning

to fine art after disabling health conditions ended a 30+year secretarial career,

caregiving and loss of loved ones—hopefully God’s love will shine throughout this

body of work so all viewers can identify with life moments shared within.

More portraits are planned and all will be prepared for gallery showing upon

completion of the total body of work. The following pieces were added from periods

representative of instruction prior to painting class (Working on A Dream was

completed in Sharon Leightty’s 2016 Fine Arts 305 class) followed by four self-

portraits created under instruction of Professor Mark Priest. Placement order is

reflective of skill growth starting with 16 self-portraits quickly rendered at this

semester’s beginning under instruction of Professor Tiffany Calvert (a few were

revisited). Water-soluble oil pastel drawings and oil paintings with themes from

1950’s through 1990s were added to reinforce the idea of an actual photo album as

follows: Working on A Dream (36x24 watercolor on canvas – This self-portrait rendered in the

dreamlike surrealistic manner of Marc Chagall), 16x20 oil on canvas Self-Portraits #1,2,3,4,

Feeling Red, All Lit Up--Van Gogh On The Wall, 18x24 water soluble oil pastels On the Town,

Out and About. Sittin’ on the Porch, Once Upon A Time in the Projects, Ladies Night Out, One

Sunday Morning, Family Joy, The Gang’s All Here, Daddy & Derrick Wading in the Water, 36x24

oil on canvas, Birthday Backyard Surprise Cookout, 16x20 oil on stretched canvas, Happy Cook

16x20 canvas print and Wedding Party, 20x24 oil on canvas.

Lost Photos, Found Paintings A Body of Work in-Progress Consisting of 51 Pieces

1. Mom and My Two Oldest Sisters – 14x18 oil on canvas

This painting was inspired by a copy of a professionally taken

photograph during World War II of my Mother and siblings Vivia

Mae and Barbara Ann. It is also representative of her encouragement

to always put one’s best foot forward in all your endeavors.

2. High School Prom 1975 (Home-made Prom Dress)

11x14 oil on stretched canvas - Inspired by photo taken at Theodore

Ahrens Vocational-Technical High School’s Class of 1975 prom, as a

member of the yearbook staff, booster club, National Honor Society,

GE-sponsored Project TEAM and part-time counter girl at McDonalds

after school from 10th through 12th grades, sewing was among my

outside interests. (Although TEAM was cut-off, with business classes

completed at Ahrens & WKU/UofL/SAC/WCU/JCC and clerk-typist

summer jobs I was able to have a 30+ year secretarial career ending

2012 due to disabling medical conditions. Combined with delayed

SSD/SSI benefit payment, this ironically led to pursuing Fine Art

degree in my senior years.)

3. About the Author – 16x20 oil on canvas

Rembrandt’s self-portrait Wearing a White Feathered Bonnet is

comparable to About the Author in that both are indicative of

fashionable dress; he never took himself too seriously nor do I.

Momma took a photo following professional photographer session for

book Definition.

4. Life is A Beach – Derrick (foreground), Bryant and Kimmie

(middle ground) 36x24 oils on stretched canvas.

This painting was inspired by a copy of a photo taken during my

sister Denise’s second trip, she brought her children and Daddy along.

I was working (recently promoted from Mission Analysis department

in the Aeronutronic Division secretary to Senior Secretary of the

Missile Systems Operations DIVAD Division of Ford Aerospace &

Communications Corporation in Newport Beach days and completing

classes toward Associate in Arts degree at Santa Ana Community

College nights.) Derrick showed them various sites during the visit.

(California group vignette)

5. Daddy and Derrick Wading in the Water, 18x24 water soluble oil

pastels

This painting was inspired by a copy of a photo taken during my

sister Denise’s second trip, she brought her children and Daddy

along. (I was working days and completing classes toward AA

degree at Santa Ana Community College nights.) Derrick showed

them various sites during the visit. (California group vignette)

6. Derrick – In U.S. Marines Dress Blues – 11x14 oil on stretched

canvas -This was inspired by photo published in the Courier Journal as

an inductee headed to Camp LeJune, NC, this painting attempted to

capture the tough “Leatherneck” expression—shortly after graduating

high school. He died of Leukemia at 38. One of his letters from Camp

LeJune to me at Western Kentucky University included a poem he’d

written while closing the letter. His pen began to run out of ink. I titled

the poem “Ending Lines” and in honor of his memory, included in my

books “A Little Something” and “From Beneath the Surface”.

7. Uncle Lem – In Formal U.S. Army Dress – 16x20 oil on stretched

canvas - The American flag and globe indicate all places he traveled

as a serviceman. A commonality is found in Vermeer’s The

Astronomer, 1668—the astronomer creates travel routes and the

serviceman follows those routes.

8. Wearin’ My Hat & Carrying to My Roadmap – 11x14 oil on canvas

This painting was inspired by professional photo taken for

author section of A Little Something—a book of poems written from

childhood through my 20’s.

9. Wearin’ My Hat and Pointing to My Roadmap – 11x14 oil on canvas

This painting was inspired by professional photo taken for

author section of A Little Something—a book of poems written from

childhood through my 20’s.

10. Sade & Maury – 11x14 stretched canvas

My sister’s youngest daughter and grandchild both smiled in a candid

photograph that inspired this painting. It was a beautiful sunny day so

reflections of light added another dimension.

At time of Momma’s April 2013 hospitalization, Sade’s son, Maury

was born. He brought so much joy before she passed in August.

Painting based on photo taken following her funeral.

11. Three Around Red Truck, 16x20 oil on

canvas – taken during Denise’s first visit to

California. I tried to capture background

scenery by applying paint using light brush

strokes.

12. Carefree in Cali’ I – Denise’s Visit

20 x20 canvas board - At the time, I was

working full time at Ford Aerospace and

taking night classes at Santa Ana

Community College where I finally

finished an Associate in Arts Degree in

Business Administration. As you can see

my brother Derrick and I were happy to

see sister, Denise who dropped in from

Louisville on a surprise visit. The photo

flash appears as a figural outline.

13. Carefree in Cali’ II – Partyin’ at

Renda’s 24x24 stretched canvas - I’d

found a job at AM Documentor as

secretary to the Western Regional Sales

Manager. My oldest sister Vivia came to

stay a while, Renda threw an impromptu

welcome. The photo flash appears as a

figural outline.

14. Mom and Aunt Lou (in Cleveland, OH before Eye

Surgery) – 16x20 oil on stretched canvas. The camera

flash was noticed more on the lower portion of the

photograph. This appears as an outline on the lower

portion of the painting.

15. Vivia Mae Linton, R,N. – 16x20 oil on stretched

canvas

This portrait is based on photo of nursing school

graduation of oldest sister.

15 QUICK SELF-PORTRAITS

16. A Look in the Mirror, 9x12 oil on flat canvas sheet

Vincent Van Gogh painted a series of self-portraits from mirror images which share

theme similarity with this piece.

17. Happy Day, 9x12 oil on flat canvas sheet

Vincent Van Gogh painted a series of self-portraits from mirror images

which share theme similarity with this piece.

18. Surprise, 9x12 oil on flat canvas sheet

Vincent Van Gogh painted a series of self-portraits from mirror images which

share theme similarity with this piece.

19. T.V. Make-Up, 9x12 oil on flat canvas sheet


which share theme similarity with this piece.

20. Auntie Karen, oil on flat canvas (need

measurement—random remnant used) –

Revised 3/23/18

21. By Pond in Chickasaw Park, 11x14 oil on flat canvas sheet

22. Modelling in Santa Ana, CA Civic Center, 11x14 oil on flat canvas sheet

23. Color of Me, acrylic on 11x14 stretched canvas


theme similarity with this piece but color variation was added. It is an opposite

painting of Me 7.

24. Me 7”, oil on 11x14 stretched canvas



25. Out of Character, 5x7 acrylic on flat canvas sheet



26. Not Quite Me, 5x7 acrylic on flat canvas sheet



27. Taking Dictation, oil on flat canvas sheet (need

measurements—random remnant used)

Taking Dictation also shares the subject of writing with

Vermeer’s A Lady Writing, although the women are of different

times and backgrounds. Painted from photo taken by WLKY

photographer during Anchor Ken Roland’s interview on the

National Society of the Sons of the American Revolution

Headquarters and genealogical Library relocating to Louisville,

KY while I was working as a correspondence secretary. I

worked there five years before accepting executive secretary to

AM Documentor’s Western Regional Sales Manager position in

Southern California.

28. Secretary by Day, Full-Time Student Working

Toward A Business Degree Nights 1977, 16x20 oil on

canvas

This painting’s theme is comparable in subject to

Vermeer’s Woman Holding a Balance in that both are

balancing something; the lady and her craft, the

secretary/student balances work and school with a goal

of getting ahead. Inspired by photo taken while

working full-time days as mail-clerk/pbx relief

switchboard operator/steno-clerk and carrying 12

hours of business classes nights at UofL (as an effort

to keep going after a personal attack in third semester

at Western Kentucky University). Needless to say,

grade point average dropped to 1.999 so I decided to

focus on work to pay all outstanding debt and return to

complete bachelors degree in business later. Life

changed plans, health no longer allows ability to

perform duties at pay level sufficient to cover bills.

With denial of benefits earned, new loans made to

return to c ollege in later years to complete BFA with

hopes to work as a professional artisty from home.

29. Playing the Guitar – 16x20 oil on canvas

Henry O. Tanner’s The Banjo Lesson has elements

I’ve compared with the instrument is part of the

central theme of each painting.

The shadow created by the camera flash was

noticed only slightly around the hands but more

around the lower portion of the face and blended

with the black couch. An attempt to capture that

aspect was made.

30. Playing the Bongos – 16x20 oil on canvas

Henry O. Tanner’s The Banjo Lesson has elements

I’ve compared with the instrument is part of the central

theme of each painting.

The shadow created by the camera flash was noticed

only slightly around the hair and face but it was well-

defined areas around bongos and portions of the hands

with the balance of shadows blending in with the black

couch. An attempt to capture that aspect was made.

Added Framed Works with hanging wire:

31. Wedding Party, 20x24 oil on stretched canvas

During the late 2002 following the first & last trip

taken upon Mom’s recovery of major stroke;

sibling’s pitched in with caregiving so I could go to

Chicago modelling convention then to International

Poetry Society convention in Hollywood, California.

I saw so many weddings but no camera. I’d just

returned to Louisville and noticing horses lining up

in front of a church en route, I stopped in CVS to

purchase a disposable camera. After obtaining

permission to take pictures of the horses, the

wedding party began to come out. Later when

developed photos were received, there were no clear

images of the horses. However, I got a good picture

of the wedding party. This picture along with

portrait of Momma were the first two painted after

her first major stroke.

32. Out and About, 18x24 – part of a series of water

soluble oil pastels (Framed 21 H x 27W)

Inspired by a 1950’s photo, this painting’s

theme elements—social setting but barmaid is in

background rather than foreground reminded me of Manet’s

A Bar at the Folies-Bergère. Although more dress was

more informal for a warm day with formal table setting,

Renoir’s Boating Party share commonalities of a social

gathering of fashionably dressed people around an informal

a table setting rendered in an impressionistic style.

33. On the Town, 18x24 – part of a series of water soluble

oil pastels (Framed 23 H x 29W)

Inspired by a 1950’s photo, this painting’s

theme elements—social setting but barmaid is in

background rather than foreground reminded me of

Manet’s A Bar at the Folies-Bergère. Although more dress

was more informal for a warm day with formal table

setting, Renoir’s Boating Party share commonalities of a

social gathering of fashionably dressed people around an

informal a table setting rendered in an impressionistic style.

34. Ladies Night Out, 36x24 oil on

stretched canvas - Inspired by a 1950’s

photo, this painting’s theme elements

reminded me of Manet’s A Bar at the

Folies-Bergère and Renoir’s Boating

Party.

Every now and then, a break from the

routine of housewife and caregiver to

everyone but yourself is needed. Its nice

to get dressed up and step out awhile. The

three figures represent my aunt, a family

friend and mother having a ladies night

out. The camera flash in the dark lit bar

highlighted the table, bottles and glasses

which is reflected within this composition.

35. Sittin’ on the Porch, 18x24– part of a

series of water soluble oil pastels (Framed 21

H x 27W)

My parents lived on Rose Lane Court in the

Shepherd’s square Housing Projects when I

was born in the Louisville General Hospital.

This painting was inspired by photo of my

oldest brother and a neighbor sitting on the

porch during the 1950’s.

36. Once Upon A Time in the Projects,

18x24– part of a series of water soluble oil

pastels (Framed 21 H x 27W)

Palmer Hayden’s Midsummer Night in

Harlem compares to subject content of

everyday people socializing in an urban

setting. My parents separated after youngest

sister was born. After a series of moves to

various home addresses in the Smoketown

area, Vivia and Barbara moved to Cleveland,

OH to live with our Great grandmother and

Grandmother. Momma moved the remaining

seven to the Cotter Homes in Louisville’s

West End.

37. One Sunday Morning, 18x24– part of a

series of water soluble oil pastels (Framed

21 H x 27W)

Palmer Hayden’s Midsummer Night in

Harlem compares to subject content of

everyday people after church or socializing

in an urban setting. Derrick, Wanda and I

were photographed after Easter Sunrise

services after church.

38. Family Joy, 18x24– part of a series of water

soluble oil pastels (Framed 21 H x 27W)

Palmer Hayden’s Midsummer Night in Harlem

compares to subject content of everyday people

socializing in an urban setting. Sister, Wanda,

with husband Marc got

A surprise visit from sister, Denise’s,

children, Stephayne, Kimberly and

Bryant.

39. The Gang’s All Here, 18x24– part of a series

of water soluble oil pastels (Framed 21 H x 27W)

While driving through Shawnee Park en route to

California, I stopped to take a photo with my

brother, nephews and a friend.

Added Unframed Works:

40. Self-Portrait #1, 16x20 oil on stretched canvas


which shares theme similarity with this piece.







43. Feeling Red, 16x20 oil on stretched canvas –

While painting this portrait from a mirror image, a series of

paralyzing spasms went throughout my body while experimenting

with red lighting. One must stop and wait for muscles to contract as

constriction seems to last an eternity. Between attacks, I attempted

to capture the look of helplessness endured as overwhelmingly

intense pain passes.

44. All Lit Up--Van Gogh On The Wall, 16x20 oil on

stretched canvas

Painted at home, this experimental self-portrait work

attempted to capture rays of white light beaming through

the window from above. A implied image of Vincent

Van Gogh’s The Café Terrace painting hangs on the

background wall.

45. Working on A Dream, 36x24 watercolor on stretched canvas –

This self-portrait rendered in the dreamlike surrealistic manner of Marc

Chagall.

46. Backyard Birthday Surprise Cookout, 16x20

oil on stretched canvas.

This is another experimental work. I had no

camera on hand but tried to capture with my

mind’s eye a surprise birthday party in my niece’s

back yard. There was good food, dancing, and

enjoyment for all. Sunlight beamed through the

trees that shaded areas creating a play on light I

tried to capture with brush & paint.

47. Happy Cook, 18x24 canvas print of original

8.5x11 oil on panel

This painting was inspired by a copy of a photo

taken of first signs of joy returning to Momma

after Derrick’s death. The camera flash created a

shadow of which gives this composition added

dimension.

48. Stopping by Mom’s Before Stepping Out –

16x20 oil on canvas - In July, before the

September 11th attack, I’d received first positive

diagnosis with regard to rehabilitation following

1997 back injuries. To celebrate, I purchased

tickets to take Momma to the Bahamas.

Unknowingly, she’d had a mini-stroke at the

time rendered here. She insisted I go out

dancing and do something to enjoy life. My

sister Rhonda talked me into buying dress

shown because my

wardrobe was conservatively oriented for work.

On 9/11, ill again, Momma asked to cancel,

upon turning on television after returning tickets

for reimbursement, I saw planes attacking the

twin towers and people dropping out windows.

She had a major stroke on Christmas day the

same year.

49. Allon, oil on 11x14 stretched canvas

Good friends along with family often enrich life by simply being

there—oftentimes unknowingly helping more than they know. A photo

taken with light surrounding him was the inspiration for this painting.

50. Trent, oil on 11x14 stretched canvas

My cousin who died of cancer shortly after last tour as a Master

Sargeant in the U.S. Army. As a teen, once told me I had no class—

meaning after I was made, the mold was thrown away. He was always

joyful.

51. JoAnn, oil on 11x14 stretched canvas

At the end of a road trip from Cleveland to visit Momma, my cousin JoAnn

seemed to melt in the black leather couch. I caught her off guard with my

camera resulting in the inspiration for this painting. Trent’s mother, a

wonderful niece who loved my mother dearly and cousin. She is a

beautiful example of love in action that my paintbrush could not begin to

capture on canvas.

Lost Photos, Found Paintings – original oil paintings created from copies of lost photographs and

thereby restoring memories. Installed exhibition in UofL Hite Art Gallery 3/30/18.

Art studio workspace

MISCELLANEOUS

2017-2018 UofL Eckstrom Library’s

University Writing Center Gallery

2018-2019 His Eye Is On The Sparrow 11x14, acrylic on canvas—mixed media

Lost Photos, Found Paintings by Karen Maddox · Lost Photos, Found Paintings by Karen Maddox Lost...

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