Calm and well rested

The illustration above was created by Pearl Frush, one of the leading female illustrators in the calendar business of the 1940's and '50s. She opened her first studio in Chicago in the early 1940's working on freelance projects. Frush also worked at the prestigious Sundblom, Johnson, and White Studios, one of the major production houses at the time.

The young girl above is relaxed, well rested and happily poses for us. It seems as if she's getting up from a good night sleep, something which seems more elusive in our present times. Obviously, this girl does not belong to our world of the Blackberry, emails, cell phones and all the gadgets keeping our anxieties permanently alive. During the period of this illustration, there was a different perception of time which is captured here by Pearl Frush. This girl is in no hurry, she wants to be admired, looked at and is possibly dreaming of the handsome lover who will sweep her off her feet. Her face exudes kindness, love and idealism.

Wearing a black negligee makes a sharp contrast to the pure white bed sheets. Using these contrasting colors brings out her flesh tones more, emphasizing the healthy freshness of her youth. Her dark hair bounces down her shoulders, adding a finishing touch to this contrast. The artist did not forget our pretty young girl's feet either. She painted her slippers a discreet red to distinguish the color of her feet to the color of the floor which are similar in this illustration.

The limited use of watercolors, a simple setting, and the femininity of our young model create a blissful scene for us to enjoy and perhaps makes us forget about the gadgets of our world that keeps us awake.