American Icons

Me & Shawn in front of a painting from Michael Jackson's home.

Like many, I am a a child raised in some of the most iconic times of this country's world-wide contribution to long-lasting pop culture. I feel like putting on a pair of Candies and wearing a white glove at the same time....

Watching re-runs of Charlie's Angels gave me a certain sense of independence and style as a young girl believe it or not. They had a sexy style, could out run the bad guy while wearing stilettos, AND kick his ass without a hair out of place. They put on the naive act, but we knew THEY knew just what they were doing with that coy little smile and a swish of sexy legs.... It was to me, my first glimpse at a sort of pop-culture women's liberation...using what cards the great Lord dealt ya to your advantage.
While Jaclyn Smith is the one I most adored --Farrah played her part much like a sort of Marilyn Monroe for the time. That red swimsuit she wore shot in front of the Mexican blanket was casual, sexy, and so very California for the time--really it still is. She had that look of being as at ease in the disco as she was on a camping roadtrip up the coast. Its nice to know that her illness reunited her with the love of her life and she she was blessed to leave this earth with him by her side.
And then there is dear Michael Jackson. Back in Virginia, Missy Miles and I watched the debut of the Thriller video on TV "together"...while on the phone in our respective homes. I was supposed to be in bed and I was certainly not allowed on the phone past 9PM....but I snuck and we shared that moment. Oh, I was terrified!!!! And, well, thrilled! Michael Jackson leaves a most incredible and indelible body of work. In a college commercial illustration class, one assignment was to do an illustration or painting to accompany a Rolling Stone article. I of course chose Michael Jackson as my subject and spent meticulous hours in oil paint marrying the early 80's Michael to a more current whiter MJ. To this day, when a MJ song comes on when I am out (or at home), I cannot help but dance. 2 years ago Paper Magazine threw a party here in LA with Jeremy Scott & the store Colette. They taught us the dance moves to Thriller. It was the best! Last fall I was lucky enough to go to France for a couple of weeks, timing with the insane Jeff Koons exhibition at Versailles. There I gazed at Michael & Bubbles in one of the most magical and overwhelming places of history I've ever been.

Jeff Koons. Michael Jackson and Bubbles, 1988. Ceramic. 42 x 70 1/2 x 32 1/2 in.

A couple of months ago I went to the Michael Jackson auction preview in Beverly Hills. It was an incredible experience to TOUCH Michael's jackets! (we weren't "really" supposed to ;), to gaze at the sparkly gloves, hear his music, get a glimpse into his love of Pinocchio, Humpty Dumpty, The Aristocats, Snow White, ET and Star Wars. He seemed much more "human" in that sense, just another lost soul who saw the beauty and hope in those stories and films I also love.

Michael Jackson's life sized Darth Vader....made out of Legos.

Its a beautiful day here in LA today. The skies are blue and full of fluffy clouds. The sun is shining and it is "just" warm enough with a beautiful breeze blowing through the trees......

Rest in Peace Michael Jackson and Farrah Fawcett.