A Little Ditty About an Older Drawing: "A Street Walker Named Desire"

On one of my REAL Life Drawing outings I was looking for inspiration on New York Avenue.  I wanted to check out the sculpture garden next to the National Museum of Woman in the Arts.  My eye was caught by what appeared to be a hooker.  Truth be told I am not an authority on prostitute fashion, but I started to wonder about her story...

Once upon a time this woman didn't need to sell herself.  I spied her sitting on the stoop of the National Museum of Women in the Arts building - the irony of scene was palpable.  MAN ALIVE!  Her hair was strikingly white. It was an arresting fried bleach blond.  I looked her in the face and saw nothing. Her facial features retreated into the dark shade of her hooded jacket.   It seemed to me that she no longer perceived her body as a temple, but rather a commodity.  Her face however was another story.  It was not for sale and remained under the cloak of anonymity.   

I quickly snapped a few photos and got to sketching.  This painting is currently installed at the Workhouse Arts Center Studio 4.  If you have a minute you should stop by and check her out.  She is painted in charcoal and pastel on the Washington Post that I have prepped with gesso and spattered with the primary colors.  REAL life drawing is my favorite!  Stand by to see what my wondering eye captures next!