Phenomenal Woman Both Then & Now

phenomenal \Phe*nom"e*nal\, a. [Cf. F. ph['e]nom['e]nal.] Relating to, or of the nature of, a phenomenon; hence, extraordinary; wonderful; as, a phenomenal memory.

phenomenal \Phe*nom"e*nal\, a. [Cf. F. ph['e]nom['e]nal.] Georgia O’Keefe.

On the day, November 15, 1887 history was brought to life in the town of Sun Prairie when parents Francis Calyxtus and Ida Totto bore their daughter Georgia Totto O’Keefe. Sun Prairie got its name on June 9, 1837 when settlers attempting to reach Madison to build the state capital reached the prairie’s edge. While the sun shone brightly upon them, the words “Sun Prairie” were carved into a tree. Two years later, Charles Bird became the first settler. Fifty years later, Georgia O’Keefe emerged into that dwelling without knowing she would change it (and the rest of the world) forever.

She created her first pieces of art while attending parochial schools in both Virginia and Wisconsin. It was these drawings coupled with the interest to learn more about the art of painting that lead her to these studies from 1905 to 1908 in Chicago and New York.

Despite the fact that she didn’t take lessons until she was sixteen years of age, Georgia O’Keefe’s talents were beyond their time. She developed a style unique to herself reflecting her love for the American Southwest. She rarely painted creatures with breath, rather objects made from the hands of man or existances of nature. These creations earned her the reputation of being the foremost master of the arts for the 20th century.

Between the years 1910 and 1912, O’Keefe had given up all artistic ventures, including work she did commercially, due to failing eyesight brought on during a struggle with measles. Her muse was struck again, however, in 1912 upon viewing the inspirational works of her art teacher Alon Bement. Yes, she would paint again!

Not only paint, she would also teach. When Amarillo, Texas became her home, teaching art became her career. This, however, was short-lived. When 1914 hit, she found herself in New York studying with Arthur Wesley Dow at The Columbia Teacher’s College.

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