I am a Woman (2009)

I am a Woman is a painting with some elements of collage and is based on the lyrics for ‘I am a woman’ sung by Peggy Lee in 1963, a song which Liz Kay was introduced to by her grandmother.

‘I came across this song because I was interested in the role of a 1950s housewife. At the time I was researching a lot of American advertising from the 50s and these lyrics seemed to fit perfectly.

My influences for type come from circus posters and old wood type catalogues. I thought of the ‘housewife’ as a circus performer, juggling all these different tasks at once. I am also interested in the ‘vintage’ trend that is so popular at the moment’.

Each image illustrates a different verse:

I can wash out 44 pairs of socks and have ‘em hangin out on the line
I can starch & iron 2 dozens shirts ‘fore you can count from 1 to 9
I can scoop up a great big dipper full of lard from the drippins can
Throw it in the skillet, go out & do my shopping, be back before it melts in the pan
‘Cause I’m a woman! W-O-M-A-N, I’ll say it again

I can rub & scrub this old house til it’s shinin like a dime
Feed the baby, grease the car, & powder my face at the same time
Get all dressed up, go out and swing til 4 a.m. and then
Lay down at 5, jump up at 6, and start all over again
‘Cause I’m a woman! W-O-M-A-N, I’ll say it again

If you come to me sickly you know I’m gonna make you well
If you come to me all hexed up you know I’m gonna break the spell
If you come to me hungry you know I’m gonna fill you full of grits
If it’s lovin you’re likin, I’ll kiss you and give you the shiverin’ fits
‘Cause I’m a woman! W-O-M-A-N, I’ll say it again

I can stretch! a green black dollar bill from here to kindom come!
I can play the numbers pay the bills and still end up with some!
I got a twenty-dollar gold piece says there ain’t nothing I can’t do
I can make a dress out of a feed bag, I can make a man out of you
‘Cause I’m a woman! W-O-M-A-N, I’ll say it again ‘Cause I’m a woman! W-O-M-A-N, and that’s all.