Dennis Mealor – Art <dm@dennismealor.net>

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I was about to post a different shot of Olivia in the slightly Gothic-esque theme of my previous post, “FOREST,” (below) but then noticed this shot in my files. It sums up my admiration and reverence for the older female form.

For a long time, well, for many years, I have found the younger, supposedly beautiful figures rather boring. I realised this when attending Life Drawing classes over maybe 15 years. Older women of all shapes, I found much more interesting to draw. Likewise, to photograph. 

Indeed, I won a 1st Prize in photography ($1,000) at a regional annual art event some years ago, for a mature female nude. They have an extra presence, and to risk a cliche, an inner beauty, as well as a more stunning outer, physical beauty. Their so-called “faults” that Society continues to harp on about, are to me, beautiful, and add an extra “something” in a beautiful way, that I can’t explain, even to myself. Many would disagree with me. But I stick to my opinion. I will continue my Forest shots after this photograph perhaps, with my usual break of non-photographic Art in between. 

But then again, I might see another shot of her like the above, and succumb to posting that instead of the mid-forest settings. Her elegance goes from her head, to the tips of her fingers. She struck this pose without even thinking, as with all her poses. I didn’t even suggest any poses during the photoshoot. She just did it naturally.