This image existed in real life. I saw it while riding my fifty five minute commute by train from New York’s Penn station to the New Jersey stop where I got off. It was May of 2011, I had spent all day the Art Fair downtown and I was beat tired. I had lugged around my heavy little camera all day yet managed to capture not even a single picture for a new idea and I was bummed about it. Much to my delight however, as soon as the train lurched away from Penn Station, a beautiful redhead hopped aboard and sat just adjacent to me. She had straight hair but I painted it curly. Her vintage style was unusually special, and although she was no older than 24, she carried herself in the fashion of a woman 85.
I was intrigued by her, especially her upholstery style floral handbag she tucked beside her as she laid her head against the window. I wanted to start photographing her but I knew better, so I waited until she had dozed off to get out my camera. In reality she had grasped her ipod, but for purposes of color and timelessness, I elected to change it to a blue address book. The original hangs in Ireland I am told.
