Choctaw Lady American Woman and The Obama Family

 

 

About eight years ago, I began working on an art piece for our First Family, the Obamas. The idea was sparked by a long time friend, Tally. She works as an archivist for the George W. Bush Library and Museum. At the time she was new to the job and I was full of questions. 

“That’s the coolest, most interesting job I have ever heard of. What sorts of stuff do you get to see?” I asked. 

Her answer, “Everything.”

“Everything?” I asked.

“Everything that isn’t perishable. We are responsible for every slip of paper, email, gift, etc.” Tally told me. I’ve been cutting and styling Tally’s hair since she was a teenager; I was only a few years older. She is a women’s history scholar with a major thing for Duran Duran and guinea pigs. I love her.

“So if I send a piece of art to the President, they will keep it?”

Tally said, “Yes, we are legally obligated to keep, archive, catalogue, and store everything associated with the administration.” Who knew?

“I’m going to do it! I’m going to make a piece of art for President Obama and every president after that.” I was inspired. At some point in the future, I would have art work in the Presidential Libraries. Immediately I began working on ideas.

 Turns out these Presidential Libraries are storehouses of public information. When I ask, only a few people know about or have been to one or more of the libraries. So far, I’ve only visited Bush 43. Tally gave my daughter Kylie and me a private tour a few years ago. I wasn’t a fan of his politics but I respect the man and the office.

The vast majority of exhibits are about what was going on in America and the world those 8 years, not about the President himself. Memories good and bad, came flooding back, as we walked through recent history. Images of the Twin Towers and President Bush’s face that terrible day, were a powerful reminder of 911.

Tally received special permission to take us into The White House Situation Room. Not a replica, the actual room had been removed from the White House during a remodel. Later it was reassembled on location in Dallas. It is part of 911 history. We sat behind the desk and pretended to use the red phone. It was all very exciting and educational. 

We were there during the Oscar de la Renta Five Decades of Style exhibit. Laura Bush had a special relationship with the famed American designer. She honored him with this show. The quality and creativity of his work is astounding. It’s easy to see why he was a favorite of many First Ladies, including Jackie Kennedy, Nancy Reagan, Hillary Clinton and Michelle Obama. Sadly Mr. de la Renta passed away not long after our visit.

We ended on a high note at Café 43. It is a full-service restaurant with a “local first, Texas second” menu. I’m told Mrs. Bush chose every last detail. I congratulate her on a delicious burger and fries. The Native Blackland Prairie grasses, not so much. It just looks like someone forgot to mow.

Much has changed in my life and the world since I began working on Choctaw Lady American Woman for the Obamas. 

I’ve grown as a person and an artist. Thanks to my art mentor and dear friend Natalie Friedman, my art work has improved in quality, depth, and value. Fortunately, so has my life.  

Eight years ago I was 39, married, had a child in middle school, and was worked fifty to seventy hour weeks as a hair dresser. Now I’m 47, divorced, Kylie is a healthy responsible adult, I work half the week making people pretty and the other days as an artist/writer in my home studio. It’s a dream come true for me. The art part, not the divorce part.

Nearly a decade older now, I’m learning to be audaciously authentic. I love the Ayn Rand quote, “The question isn’t who is going to let me; it’s who is going to stop me?” I’m figuring that out. I’m blessed with a strong support system of family and friends who encourage my art and writing. 

Reading books like Daring Greatly  and The Gifts of Imperfections by Brene’ Brown I’ve come to know that I’m imperfect and I’m enough. I’m good enough, just like I am. Owning that concept, gives me the freedom to be Me. I encourage anyone to read these books and share them with your friends and family. Life changing for me. 

“Who do I think I am?” “Will they even see this?” “Is it good enough?” Questions like these are designed to make us doubt our worthiness. It can make us procrastinate and sometimes even give up on life goals. So I plucked up my courage and sent Choctaw Lady American Woman to the White House. It took some audacity.

I had grown attached; I didn’t want to let go. I remind myself that she was never mine to keep. Only a part of me, I need to share with the world. Another beauty mark on American history. It’s out of me and I’m better for it.

This mixed media sculpture helped me grow up and look at myself and my value differently. Her blue eyes are antique flashbulbs, her head-dress is made of antique typewriter parts, a razor blade for a tongue, and part of a rosary for balance. 

Now I know who I am. I’m Susan L. York and my work is good enough; in fact it is quite good, sometimes excellent. I’m a bad-ass Choctaw Lady/American Woman; I do what I want. Fortunately what I want to do, is spread Peace, Freedom, and Art.

 

Now to get started on the next President’s art work…

 

Sly