The Story of "Women Who Shatter Barriers"

Amelia Earhart

2018 is the Year of Women. So...to build on that momentum, I am creating mixed media portraits of women I admire for their courage, brilliance, and heart.

Amelia Earhart is the fifth in my portrait series.

Amelia Earhart shattered barriers, both socially and physically!

Amelia is best know as the first female pilot to fly solo across the Atlantic Ocean. She received the United States Distinguished Flying Cross for this accomplishment.

She set many other records, wrote best-selling books about her flying experiences and was instrumental in the formation of The Ninety-Nines, an organization for female pilots.

In 1935, Earhart became a visiting faculty member at Purdue University, an aeronautical engineering advisor, and a career counselor to women students. She was also a member of the National Woman's Party and an early supporter of the Equal Rights Amendment.

During an attempt to make a circumnavigational flight of the globe in 1937 in a Lockheed Model 10-E Electra, Earhart and navigator Fred Noonan disappeared over the central Pacific Ocean near Howland Island.

Fascination with her life, career, and disappearance continues to this day.

Movies, books, etc. have been written about Amelia Earhart. My favorite is a haunting song by singer-songwriter, Joni Mitchell, "Amelia," from the "Hejira" album. If you get a chance - download it and listen!

For this portrait, my reference photo is a well-known black & white image of Amelia standing in front of her plane. I hope you enjoy thinking about Amelia and her bold and fearless life. She was a true pioneer and inspired the way for future pilots.

My Multi-media Process

I create the background image of the portraits digitally with photoshop. I then print, adhere, and prime the background on a 8x10 inch canvas panel. I paint the subject of the portrait with oil paint over the primed background.

I use the highest quality artist oil paint and varnish. The original multi-media painting arrives at your home framed and ready to hang.

I take every step to ensure the image is as accurate as possible to the original painting. However variations in color may occur due to monitor differences. 

Photo reference via wikipedia

In addition to the original painting, you can order canvas & paper prints in various sizes.

For inquiries and purchases, contact me at christina@christinatarkoff.com,