About Florence — Florence

What can I say about Florence. Well, she is 101 years old, and she's my Mom. Born April 24, 1916, before women had the vote, she lived through most of the 20th century and a good part of the 21st. She has been an artist since she was a little girl. I grew up with an intensely creative mother who not only encouraged me to learn to use the tools, but to engage my own creativity in their application. She is still with us and still an inspiration to everyone.

During her career as an artist, she worked both commercially and in fine arts. It was either one or the other. Sadly, I do not have copy from those pen and ink renderings of women with extra long torsos and legs with the styles of the day from Penney's, Bullock's, or Lane Bryant. When she was freed from having to work commercially, she painted, silk screened, etched, and did watercolors.

Her early oils date from the 1950's through the 1960's. After that she concentrated more on pen and ink, etching press, pastel, and watercolor. Florence sold a lot of her work and always seemed to revel in the process, not being too attached to her output.

She was still Mom to the family although she carved a private space and time for her work. That discipline has influenced me still and colors my approach to playing music or printing photography. Art and it's special improvisation is like a Jazz solo which takes years of study and practice to get ready for and passes by in what seems like a moment.

Charlie Unkeless - 2017