Hazel at Work, 1979

Uploaded for the Vintage Photos Theme Park theme of: AT WORK
My very intelligent, creative mother worked as a bookkeeper into her 80s. At 15 she had been accepted at the equivalent (in England) of an art college. Her father had allowed her an extra year at school - most working class kids left at 14, but he wouldn't let her accept the art school offer - and reasoned that office work would always give her a career.
She was artistic, musical, and loved to read - but it wasn't her nature to stay unhappy, even though she never grew to like anything to do with bookkeeping.
At 40 she emigrated to the US with our family. This country, in 1964, had far more opportunities to reinvent your self, but she had no real time to support our family and flourish in classes.
She never stopped reading, playing music and creating - and in her 60s she began to paint with oils (finally taking classes). It became one of the great joys of her life.
She moved in with us at 96 and brought over 90 paintings with her.
During her 60s, 70s, and 80s, she spent thousands of hours on her paintings, with such endless pleasure.
She exhibited, sold, helped teach, and generously shared them with admiring friends and family.
But here she is, bookkeeping at Devoe Paint in New Haven, CT - where she worked in the 1970s.
This is 1979, so she just makes it into the Park in time.