The Three Sisters As Artists

Chris was older than Grace and Harryette by about 10 years. She was Bruce's generation, just two years younger than Bruce. She always said that she was not the caliber of artist that her brother was. Each of his sisters though, were talented. They were extremely disciplined and practiced every day. They wrote letters to each other and enclosed their efforts for each others critiques. In the ww2 letters between 1942-1945 Harryette at the young age of about 11, was drawing pictures of animals. She especially loved horses and eventually became an expert in the genre.

Grace was becoming a young lady at the age of 13 and was interested in being an artist professionally, like her older sister and brother. She worked hard to get to where she might have a chance at some kind of career in art. Her first love being fashion, it made sense that she would become a fashion illustrator like her sister Chris. After graduating at Florida's St. Petersburg high school in 1947, the logical thing to Edwina and all was for Grace to leave Florida and join Chris in Omaha. Chris had begun her career as a fashion illustrator and was doing quite nicely. She had the advantage of Bruce's superior reputation. Grace had to work at it. Chris was her teacher. Bruce was her highest ideal. A stint at Mutual of Omaha doing some newbie mail work and whatever office girl tasks were needed, Grace would be asked to do artwork for various flyers. It may have been possible that she could have had a career in advertising art at Mutual, but at that time women were asked to leave their jobs as soon as they became pregnant. It would take years, and four children later, Grace would have herself a career in advertising art. In the mid 70's with the children leaving home, she began working for the local department store, Richman Gordman. Within a short time she was one of their top illustrators. It was at least a decade or two of success but somewhat short lived as illustration advertising came to an end in the 1980's and photography took over. While fashion and especially art deco fashion, was her first love, Grace had worked hard at portraiture on the side. Again with disciplined practice, art group participation and lots of love, Grace became an expert in pastel portraiture.

I'd love to share with you some of the artwork these 3 sisters put out in their lifetime of creativity. Each of them having skill and talent, yet each wishing they were as talented as their brother, Bruce.  His work was a measure for all of them. There is no doubt that he would have contributed to the world of art in a profound way, given the chance. So enjoy these works of the three sisters. I'll share some of Bruce's early work later. There will be more coming, I promise!

Circa 1945-1950 Creighton University, Omaha, figure drawing class with instructor Agustus Dunbier. Grace and Harryette took a class together. This painting is unsigned but believed to be one of the sister's paintings. Grace maintains that she was asked to stay at the end of class by Dunbier. The story is that she declined an invitation for a "date" as she was "engaged". My bedroom is done in a traditional/British colonial style and this painting works perfectly.

There are a few examples of Grace's successful career in advertising fashion illustration, years after her brother, Bruce's awesome career start in the late 1930's. These examples are from the 1980's Richman Gordman Department Store advertising. 

Just a simple sketch by Harryette Jepson Bondesson. There are so many paintings to share and this is just one tiny sample of her talent. We will share so much more very soon. Harryette loved horses as you can see here. She made their anatomy one of her foremost studies as well as actually riding. I love sharing this simple study.

I don't have many examples of Chris's early artworks for stores like the Zoobs and the Daisy in Omaha circa 1940-1970's. The women's fashion shop was a "go to" destination for women of all ages and all walks of life. This photo was published in Glamour Magazine 1940-41, I believe. Chris was working at the bomber plant and was a star female artist. Bruce was proud of her and shared this photo with buddies, as he was descending into the Army Air Force.

I am so proud of these three sisters. Their WWII sacrifice and perseverance is an inspiration to me. If I could ever let go of the past, it would be through this blog.  As I tell their story I might be able to move on to the future (or the present). But aren't we here to remember and honor them? Yes, I think so. It's history as told by the people who care. We who honor the past and will never forget. That's me, the family history teller. I think they are beautiful and it's all done with love. Comments are welcome. Please follow me, it does help. Thanks so much!

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