Title: Andy Warhol
Collection: Pride
Artist: Dallas Lyn Miller-Downes
Created with color pencil on 8 x 10 Strathmore Drawing Paper
Andy Warhol was a highly influential American visual artist, film director, and producer, and a leading figure in the Pop art movement. He is known for his iconic works that explored the relationship between art, advertising, and celebrity culture. Warhol's work included a variety of media like painting, silkscreen, photography, film, and sculpture
Andy Warhol was a gay man who openly expressed his queer identity in his life and work. He had several partners throughout his life, including Edward Wallowitch, John Giorno, and Jed Johnson, who were also his collaborators and colleagues. The Andy Warhol Museum even organizes a tour, "Dandy Andy," that focuses on Warhol's queer history.
Warhol's sexuality was a subject of debate and sometimes suppression, but he openly expressed his identity through his art, even in a time when homosexuality was criminalized in the United States. His work often dealt with camp and other aspects of queer culture, and his studio, The Factory, was a gathering place for many queer artists, celebrities, and misfits. Queer Portraits in History notes that Warhol was open about his homosexuality at a time when many of his colleagues were closeted.
Title: River Phoenix
Collection: Pride
Artist: Dallas Lyn Miller-Downes
Created with color pencil on 8 x 10 Strathmore Drawing Paper
River Phoenix (1970-1993) was a talented American actor, musician, and activist, known for his intense performances and commitment to various causes. He rose to fame with roles in films like "Stand by Me" (1986) and "My Own Private Idaho" (1991). Beyond acting, he was a vocal advocate for veganism and environmentalism, often incorporating his beliefs into his lifestyle and work. His short but impactful career was cut tragically short by a drug overdose in 1993. It is unclear the sexual orientation of River.
Title: Candy Darling
Collection: Pride
Artist: Dallas Lyn Miller-Downes
Created with color pencil on 8 x 10 Strathmore Drawing Paper
Candy Darling (1944-1974) was a transgender actress and Warhol superstar, known for her glamorous persona and pioneering role in transgender visibility. She was a notable figure in the 1960s and 70s New York City underground art scene, appearing in Andy Warhol's films like "Flesh" and "Women in Revolt". Darling was also inspired by Hollywood starlets like Lana Turner and Kim Novak.
Candy was raised as a boy but began identifying as female in her late teens. She faced bullying and social ostracization, but found solace in movies and the world of glamour.
Warhol's Factory:
She became one of Andy Warhol's "Superstars," appearing in his films and gaining recognition for her unique performance style.
Transgender visibility:
Darling's visibility and performance helped break down barriers for transgender individuals in the entertainment industry and beyond, inspiring songs by Lou Reed and the Rolling Stones.
Later life and death:
She struggled with societal prejudice and lack of acceptance, leading to a difficult and often precarious existence. She died of lymphoma in 1974 at age 29.
Legacy:
Darling is remembered as a transgender icon and a pioneer for transgender visibility, whose life and work continue to inspire and inform conversations about gender identity and acceptance.
Title: Barbra Streisand
Collection: Pride
Artist: Dallas Lyn Miller-Downes
Created with color pencil on 8 x 10 Strathmore Drawing Paper
Barbra Streisand is an iconic American singer, actress, producer, and director who has achieved immense success in various entertainment fields. She is known for her powerful voice, acting ability, and diverse career achievements, including being an EGOT winner (Emmy, Grammy, Oscar, and Tony). Barbra Streisand is also a celebrated television personality and has a strong public presence, making her a significant figure in show business. She was recognized by President Obama with the Presidential Medal of Freedom. She is one of the few EGOT winners, a status she earned along with her numerous other accolades.
Barbra Streisand is widely recognized as an LGBTQ+ icon and ally, deeply embedded in the community's history and support. Her career started in gay nightclubs, and she has consistently shown support for LGBTQ+ rights and causes throughout her career.
Streisand's early performances were in gay clubs like The Lion in Greenwich Village, where she received significant support from the LGBTQ+ community. She has expressed gratitude for their early patronage and recognizes their ongoing support.
Streisand's memoirs highlight her connection and allyship with the LGBTQ+ community, emphasizing their shared needs for happiness, love, and respect. She has been an executive producer on projects like "Serving in Silence: The Margarethe Cammermeyer Story," a TV movie about an Army nurse discharged for being queer.
She has advocated for LGBTQ+ community centers and other organizations.
Barbra Streisand has been recognized as a gay icon by publications like Out magazine and Gay Times.
Her music and films, particularly her sensitive portrayals of urban characters, have resonated deeply with the LGBTQ+ community.
She has also been acknowledged for her liberal politics and outspokenness on LGBTQ+ issues. She has written love letters to the LGBTQ+ community, expressing her gratitude and support.
She has also dedicated time and resources to finding a cure for AIDS.
Her film "Yentl" is now considered an LGBTQ+ classic.
Title: Dolly Parton
Collection: Pride
Artist: Dallas Lyn Miller-Downes
Created with color pencil on 8 x 10 Strathmore Drawing Paper
Dolly Parton is a highly successful and influential American country music singer, songwriter, actress, producer, businesswoman, and philanthropist. She's known for her distinctive voice, songwriting prowess, and career spanning over six decades, achieving record-breaking success and creating numerous hit songs like "Jolene" and "I Will Always Love You
Dolly Parton is widely recognized as an enduring LGBTQ+ ally. She has consistently supported LGBTQ+ rights and inclusion, both publicly and in her music, demonstrating a long-standing commitment to the community.
Dolly Parton has spoken out against discrimination and prejudice against LGBTQ+ individuals, stating that everyone should be allowed to be who they are.
Her music, particularly the song "Family" from her 1991 album, demonstrates an inclusive message about embracing all members of a family, including those who are LGBTQ+.
Dolly Parton has been a vocal supporter of marriage equality, advocating for the right of LGBTQ+ individuals to have their relationships legally recognized.
Dolly Parton has also expressed support for transgender rights, including speaking out against transgender bathroom bans.
Reflecting on her Fanbase:
Dolly Parton has acknowledged her large LGBTQ+ fan base and expressed pride in them, emphasizing her love and respect for LGBTQ+ individuals.
Title: Traci Melchor
Collection: Pride
Artist: Dallas Lyn Miller-Downes
Created with color pencil on 8 x 10 Strathmore Drawing Paper
Traci Melchor is a Canadian television personality known for her work as an entertainment reporter and judge.
Traci Melchor began her media career after graduating from Seneca College's Radio and Television Program. She started as a host for MuchMusic's RapCity and then became an entertainment specialist for Citytv Toronto. She later moved to Los Angeles, where she continued her work as an entertainment reporter and host for E! and took on acting roles. Some notable acting credits include guest appearances on CSI: Crime Scene Investigation and Lizzie McGuire.
Canada's Drag Race Judge: Traci Melchor is also known for her role as a judge on the Canadian reality competition series Canada's Drag Race. She started as 'Canada's Squirrel Friend' in Season 1, making recurring appearances and guest judging the finale. She later became a permanent judge for Season 2 onwards, and has won two Canadian Screen Awards for her work on the show.
Traci Melchor is a mother. She is an animal welfare advocate and supports various charitable organizations, including those focused on mental health.
Title: Adele
Collection: Pride
Artist: Dallas Lyn Miller-Downes
Created with color pencil on 8 x 10 Strathmore Drawing Pape
Adele is a British singer-songwriter renowned for her soulful vocals and heartfelt songwriting. Known for hits like "Rolling in the Deep" and "Someone Like You," she's achieved global success, selling millions of albums and earning numerous accolades, including 16 Grammy Awards and an Oscar. Her music often explores themes of love, heartbreak, and personal struggles.
Adele is a prominent LGBTQ+ ally, demonstrating her support through various actions and statements. She has publicly expressed her support for LGBTQ+ rights, including dedicating a show to the victims of the Orlando nightclub shooting. Adele also stated that she considers the LGBTQ+ community to be her soulmates. Furthermore, she has performed for free at Pride events and has spoken about her feminism and belief in treating everyone equally, regardless of their sexuality. She has also spoken out against anti-LGBTQ+ slurs and hateful comments, like when she addressed a fan at one of her concerts who yelled out an anti-gay slur.
“If you call yourself an ally to a group of people and you aren’t getting hit by the stones being thrown at them, then you aren’t standing close enough.” - Stan Mitchell
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