janice capps patterson: 09/01/10

LIFE during the 50's

LIFE Magazine 1956

Mom is playing the accordion at the Raleigh Woman's Prison

This is so interesting.... filled with articles on woman's issues: achievements, prospects, earnings,the role of the hostess, civic engagement, the "ideal husband", types of mothers, the housewife/homemaker life and woman's changing roles. I find this subject fascinating because so much has changed for women since the 19th century, and then so much hasn't. Much progress is to be attributed to Elizabeth Cady Stanton and Susan B. Anthony, but I wonder what they would say now? Surely they would be very impressed with the hot topics on MomsRising but changes are still needed!

Analysis of paintings

She mostly painted landscapes... which we always referred to as places not yet covered by concrete. She truly wanted to see as many places preserved as possible. She was an avid environmentalist in this way. This was the passion she and our father shared so deeply - a love of nature. Her paintings were "realist" paintings, but sometimes her work was referred to as "Pre-Raphaelite", but I think that is because of the colors she chose and her imitation of nature. She mostly used acrylic, but also enjoyed pointillism, pastels and block printing... She studied art under Peter Kahn and Arnold Singer at Cornell, the Institute Voleau in Philidelphia, at NC State and Meredith College. This analysis is from 1987, therefore a more recent reappraisal is probably in order.

A few select letters, click on letter to see enlarged view

Just a few newspaper clippings, click articles to see them bigger

Thank you for connecting!

Thank you Kathee Smith and Suzie Waterman for getting in touch with me over the past couple of weeks! I have several people to visit in NC when I make it home who have some of Mom's work to give to the family. I also look forward to checking out the UNC TV station where her Carolina Morning painting is to get a nice photo for Samantha. Any additions, please feel free to post. I would like to start gathering some memories.... more documents to come soon.