DOVIMA......

Thinking about creativity, especially paints and their names, but the madness of the day, has stopped me here at this image. I will get back to the other subject later.

 This is, perhaps, my favourite of all images that exist.

 Avedon. That man was a genius. This period of his work is beyond brilliant. And, Dovima, who sadly ended up her glamorous life serving hash browns at a diner in south Florida, though I am certain she always looked Dovima-divine. How could she not!

This image was used as the poster for Avedon's retrospective at the Met in 1978. I looked  for a copy for years, to no avail.  I unearthed a couple examples, in dreadful shape and exorbitantly priced. Finally, one day, just a couple years ago, I found her, my Dovima. 

She resides in my dressing room, and inspires me as I ready myself each day. 

Black and white, my preferred palette, yet she inspires me in colours that creep, not into my wardrobe, but my paintings.

She is exuberance-- old fashioned and modern at the same time.