Judy Garland : A Star Is Born (2008) by Stephen B Whatley
A drawing of Hollywood legend, Judy Garland (1922-1969); inspired by a publicity still from the film 'A Star Is Born' (US 1954), for which the talented actress and singer was Oscar-nominated.
The life of Judy Garland is one of Hollywood's great tragedies. In films from 1929 to 1963, her talent was so great, her commercial value recognised as so exploitable, that by the time she starred in one of her most famous and enduring films, The Wizard of Oz (US 1939), she was being prescribed diet pills by the studio to reduce her weight; together with a cocktail of sleeping pills and amphetamines to keep her working abnormally long schedules. Five years later her acting and singing were undimmed in the colourful period drama 'Meet Me In St Louis' (US 1944)- but the drug taking and stress was evident from her drastic weight loss.
The overwhelming quality that shines through all of Judy Garland's performances - and indeed most photographic records - is her vulnerability, her depth of sensitivity; and along the way, many of her contempraries felt a protective affection for the fragile star. Lana Turner (1921-1995) was a lifelong friend and a one-time neighbour in Beverly Hills, CA, USA; and as her daughter Cheryl Crane (1943-) recorded in her powerful 1988 autobiography Detour, she and Judy's elder daughter Liza Minnelli (1946-) would play together; looked after by whichever Hollywood mother was not otherwise engaged at the studio.
Judy Garland was a genius and her talent is preserved forever through her films and recordings - but this world can often break those of great talent and sensitivity.
June was the month of both her birth (10th) and death (22nd) - an accidental overdose of barbituates releasing this great lady from personal torment; forever leaving her legacy of glory on celluloid ,vinyl and tape.
Charcoal on paper, 16 x 11in
Judy Garland : A Star Is Born (2008) by Stephen B Whatley
A drawing of Hollywood legend, Judy Garland (1922-1969); inspired by a publicity still from the film 'A Star Is Born' (US 1954), for which the talented actress and singer was Oscar-nominated.
The life of Judy Garland is one of Hollywood's great tragedies. In films from 1929 to 1963, her talent was so great, her commercial value recognised as so exploitable, that by the time she starred in one of her most famous and enduring films, The Wizard of Oz (US 1939), she was being prescribed diet pills by the studio to reduce her weight; together with a cocktail of sleeping pills and amphetamines to keep her working abnormally long schedules. Five years later her acting and singing were undimmed in the colourful period drama 'Meet Me In St Louis' (US 1944)- but the drug taking and stress was evident from her drastic weight loss.
The overwhelming quality that shines through all of Judy Garland's performances - and indeed most photographic records - is her vulnerability, her depth of sensitivity; and along the way, many of her contempraries felt a protective affection for the fragile star. Lana Turner (1921-1995) was a lifelong friend and a one-time neighbour in Beverly Hills, CA, USA; and as her daughter Cheryl Crane (1943-) recorded in her powerful 1988 autobiography Detour, she and Judy's elder daughter Liza Minnelli (1946-) would play together; looked after by whichever Hollywood mother was not otherwise engaged at the studio.
Judy Garland was a genius and her talent is preserved forever through her films and recordings - but this world can often break those of great talent and sensitivity.
June was the month of both her birth (10th) and death (22nd) - an accidental overdose of barbituates releasing this great lady from personal torment; forever leaving her legacy of glory on celluloid ,vinyl and tape.
Charcoal on paper, 16 x 11in