Wanda Ewing, the art heroine
original Les Femmes Folles drawing by Wanda Ewing, for the exhibit at RNG Gallery, 2011
Today is the one-year anniversary of the passing of artist Wanda Ewing. I have not stopped thinking of her and her work. Last year as the news came, words were almost flowing from me of memories and trying to explain and give honor to her significance in my life, one of the many that she inspired, mentored and befriended. (Read my LFF memorial post below; and my other memorial for the SGC Print International Journal and links to other memorials here.)
Right now you can view her work at the University of Nebraska-Omaha Art Gallery’s exhibition “Celebrating Wanda Ewing” through December 20 (details here). Next spring, SGC Print International is holding an exhibition of her work during their annual conference in Knoxville; keep updated on her exhibits and sales at wandaewing.com.
I was fortunate to be able to buy a few more of Wanda’s works (above), some different than those that I already owned and a few that I’d actually never seen, reminding me that as much as I knew and loved of her, there is so much more to know and appreciate.
I’ve thought of Wanda as I began my graduate studies in art history that she had encouraged me to do, as I continued LFF and even break out and show my own work. I think of her in quiet galleries and what she’d think or say, and in crazy times when she’d help me figure things out. Wanda continues to impact my life and in my tiny way, I’m donating the proceeds of Les Femmes Folles anthologies (that she had a huge part of starting as written in my post mentioned above) this month to UNO/Nebraska Foundation’s Wanda Ewing Scholarship. Of course, you may donate directly there yourself at nufoundation.org as well. Here’s the links to the LFF Books’ page:
http://www.blurb.com/user/store/sallydeskins
Get 20% OFF with code PDN11 (does not affect proceeds) by 12/31/14.
Peace to you all, and keep supporting women in art.
Original post Dec. 9, 2013
Everyone has a Wanda story; the lucky ones, anyway.
As you may or may not know, Omaha-based artist Wanda Ewing passed December 8 at age 43. Among many, many things to many people, organizations and others, Wanda was the inspiration behind Les Femmes Folles; the original la folle.
Some people have asked, who is Wanda? Can you tell me about her work? Yes, I will and continue to do my best to. Also definitely see her work on her website wandaewing.com and the write-up on printeresting; and her show at RNG Gallery in Council Bluffs now. She made daring artwork, pushing the boundaries of femininity and the definition of beauty, all the while exploring with different media, collaborators and stretching her own abilities, her work ever-evolving. She won awards, residencies, exhibited internationally, is written about by scholars around the nation, was a well-respected professor, artist, friend, mentor and community engager.
To me, she is Wanda the art heroine. This is my Wanda story.
I met her one day, me a quiet, shy, insecure volunteer at the Bemis Center, when she was working as residency coordinator, about a decade ago. I don’t remember if we shook hands, but I remember feeling her aura, her strength, instantly, and thinking, “I want to be like her.” Not many people have this way, impacting simply by existing.
I found her again at Hot Shops in her little studio and she introduced me to her pin-up work. How could anyone not fall in love with these playful powerful prints of women flaunting proudly? I bought a little magnet, that is/was my first “real” art purchase, treasured, powerful beyond. As she; she consistantly spoke with me, I felt, as a person, an equal--not as a ditzy blonde (a role I have played aplenty), but as an able-minded woman. This way was something everyone should experience and gleam from, a given chance, sight unseen, a real soul.
Upon this, I enrolled in a private drawing class at UNO with her to per chance reap awareness she would bring me and what in the world I should do with myself. Students of hers will attest that she had a way of bringing about yourself and keeping in real, without losing the love. She had curious perspective, artists to exemplify, and great music.
"Bluebell," The Great Garden series, painting
I started writing for local publications and interviewed and reviewed her when I could. She continuously had something exemplary to say, and people were always eager to listen.
"Through my work, I learn more about people, the world I live in and, ultimately, myself." (2005)
“You’ve got to develop the skill of when to listen and when not to.” (2011)
Advice for young women artists: “Leave. It gives you a new perspective and you can discover great things, or find what you need back home with new eyes.“ (2011)
“You be you.” (personal conversation where I was ranting about some critic) (2010)
“That glass ceiling was installed with perma-sealant!” (2011)
"People may not know the quality of shows that go on at the UNO gallery...They really should stop by, as they are missing out on some really fantastic shows right on campus." (2006)
"Video Grrrlzzz 2," drawing
I also had the opportunity to be on the other end of her palette, as a model for her drawing classes. Admittedly, I think she was the toughest, but also one of the most enjoyable and attentive professors to model for. She took it upon herself to make a “model’s nook,” with floral curtain, fluffy pillows and chair for us to change respectably in. She introduced me to the class, told them of my artwork, encouraged them to look me up. Here I was literally on display as an object, and she saw me for me, a woman doing something.
Of course, she repeatedly inquired of my comfort, though pushed the limits of my posing and no doubt the student’s tenacity as well! I remember one awkward pose, overhearing a student ask “How am I supposed to draw that weird area in her belly?” Wanda: “the body just gets crazy! You gotta just draw it like you see it.”
True to form, her work that I knew, she created it like she saw it. It at all times ignites a space. Beloved stunning pin-up girls, tongue-in-cheek Bougie magazine covers, subtle Black Catalogue, the dresses, the wigs, Video Grrlllz.... Her warmth exudes in her last exhibited series, the latch-hooks, not without her punch.
No matter how crazy I thought my drawings or ideas were, whenever I shared with her, she saw validity and potential. True to this, was my Lit Undressed series, a wild nude reading project I put together with help of others (you know who you all are!), she one of the exhibiting artists in the first show, as well as the body-painter. “Would you feel comfortable painting on me and some other nude models?” I queried. “I have never been so close to a model! But I’m loving this new canvas.” We of course, had such a blast, as others involved will nod, laugh and recall.
For the second Lit Undressed visual show inspired by the women of the beat generation, I knew she could curate with feminine intention without it being overlooked for this very quality. And, the show (Wanda titled "Les Femmes Folles" (The Wild Women, French to "add exotic flair" she said) was amazing—Leslie Diuguid, Ewing, Rebecca Herskovitz, Jamie Lamaster and Lauren van Wyke’s art blew me away, and all in one gallery (RNG)! I was in awe that there were other women using the body in their work and doing it somehow simultaneously with strength and grace. I wanted to know more about them, see more about them-- I asked Wanda what she thought of having a blog to feature solely women artists, and was encouraged to do it! Wanda being right there, “of course use my exhibit title, the drawing I made for the show, anything, just do it!”
Wanda at Peerless, July 2011 for the LFF exhibit with Kim Reid Kuhn
That was 2011; since, she was there for panels, to curate more exhibits, events, books and writing, to help me with my own artwork and shows and career, through nay-sayers including myself.
Wanda (center) at another LFF panel on feminism, Joslyn Art Museum, 2012
The last time I got to hang with her, I asked her, “Were you always so confident, so able to speak and carry yourself with such grace and poise?” To me, this woman was since birth a woman to be reckoned with, but, she answered in her utter honesty, “No. One day, I just decided, you know what? I’m going to be me. No more apologies.”
That’s what she gave me, us--courage, hope, unending support, love, and a new way of seeing, especially the female spirit. Hers will never be lost. Her spirit will always be in Les Femmes Folles and the artwork I do. I will try to walk as she did, with strength, and do my work, as she would want me to, fearlessly.
I share this as a tiny tribute to her and what she meant to me, one of the many people she touched with herself and amazing work.
If you’d like to share something about the first time you saw one of Wanda’s artworks or shows, or what her work means to you, I’d love to post it.
I thank her forever for letting me be one of the lucky ones who was fortunate to know her, and have her support. I, Omaha, the world! is so fortunate to have known her--and continue to get to know her, through her work.
I can’t seem to finish this post!! Because it will never be done. Her work, my work (and others) to tell her story through knowing her and her work, and other fierce females, will keep her flame lit pushing boundaries, challenging status quo, doing what we do, and encouraging more of it. She's the voice in my head telling me to go for it. Let's do it.
Be on the lookout for an honorary exhibit at RNG Gallery in Council Bluffs this or next month. Dixiequicks.com
Wanda (far right) with: fashion designer Olajide Kotero; spoken work artist Withlove, Felicia; rapper YShall Tarlon; playwright Beaufield Berry; at an LFF panel on women in the arts, Omaha Public Library, March, 2013.
Wanda and I at Les Femmes Folles: VOICE exhibit, at The New BLK, 2012
Upon hearing the news, my daughter asked why I was so sad, and I told her: “My friend, Wanda, the artist, went to heaven,” and she said, “well, they have paint in heaven, right?”
You bet. We'll see her around.
