Artist Woodworker
Artist Woodworker
"THE NEWS LADY"
This satirical piece of art was inspired by my appreciation for Lynne Russell, former anchor woman for CNN Headline News.
Ms. Russell was a highly skilled news person. She was the first woman to become become the solo evening anchor on a
primetime TV news network.
The concept for the piece came to me one day as I contemplated the miracle of modern television news and how those of us who
are news junkies have instant, up to date access to national and world events in our homes and work places.
Back in the days when Ms. Russell worked with CNN it seemed that everywhere I went, there she was; in my home, in businesses
and in all of my favorite "meat and three" diners throughout the South. (for those of you who aren't fortunate enough to know what
"meat and three" diners are, they are wonderful, local restaurants where the customer gets a choice of one meat and three vegetables, cooked
to perfection and most often served by a friendly, sometimes sassy waitress who knows her business, and most of the locals'
business as well! They are a culinary institution in the South.)
Anyway, back in those days when I would go into my favorite diners for my evening meal, there sitting on a shelf, high on the wall, was
the ever present, animated color "portrait" of Lynne Russell, framed by the outline of the television screen, professionally dishing out
the days news to go along with my favorite cuisine du jour.
To this day, in my mind, Ms. Russell is the icon of TV news reporters, by which all others are judged. She was and
will always be the Gold Standard of professionalism in broadcast journalism. She IS....."The News Lady".
This piece is 24 3/4 inches by 32 1/4inches. Materials that I used to build this piece are oak, walnut,
maple, eastern red cedar, white pine, old heart pine and some paint. The heart pine that I used for her
torso is recycled from an old barn that was built near Franklin, Tennessee in 1919. A lot of the old lumber
that I like to use is rich in color and texture that only comes with age.
Detail of the News Lady
All Images On This Page Are The Property of Stephen Edison Edwards
© 2004 by Stephen Edison Edwards
All Rights Reserved