Eleanor Roosevelt

Here is Eleanor Roosevelt. There was a moment when I was working on her face when she looked just like Marlon Brando. It was a bit terrifying really.

Martha Washington

I think Martha Washington is next. Is it me or does she bear a more than passing resemblance to her husband, George?

Eleanor Roosevelt

I usually start with the head. For some reason I went the other way around this time. If I blow it on the head, I am going to regret investing so much time...

Mary Todd Lincoln

Here is Mary Todd Lincoln. There are a couple of places I'd love to do over again (lower hand; bosom), but generally I am pleased.


I don't know if I captured the strangeness of the dress. It's very severe- on the elbows, the pleats protrude like plate armor. It was almost certainly designed by Elizabeth Keckly.

Keckly was the leading D.C. seamstress of the the day, designing gowns for Mary Anne Randolph Custis Lee (wife of Robert E.) and Varina Davis (wife of Jefferson). She had been born a slave and managed to purchase her own freedom.

During the White House years, Keckly was Mary Todd Lincoln's only seamstress and also one of the first lady's closest confidantes. They remained so, until 1868, when Keckly published a tell-all autobiography, Behind the Scenes, or, Thirty years a slave, and four years in the White House. After that, Mrs. Lincoln called her "Slick Lizzy".

Eleanor Roosevelt

My friend, Rebecca suggested that I draw Eleanor Roosevelt. I think that is a great idea.

Mary Todd Lincoln

Here's where I am on Mary Todd Lincoln. Her bosom got away from me a little bit-- I couldn't find the line and kept going back and forth with the pen. But I am optimistic that she will come out well.

The First Ladies

I have decided to do a series of plates on First Ladies and begin with Mary Todd Lincoln. She seems right for the moment.