Georgia O’Keeffe

Summary

1887–1905: Childhood Years

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Summary 1887–1905: Childhood Years

A girl who would be different in habit, style, and dress, A girl who doesn’t give a cent for men–and boys still less.

O is for O’Keeffe, an artist divine; Her paintings are perfect and her drawings are fine.

More importantly, at Chatham, Georgia met an exceptional art teacher, Mrs. Willis, who had been educated at the Art Students League in New York City. Willis recognized Georgia’s talents and individuality, overlooked her behavioral tribulations, and permitted her to work at her own pace. While Georgia was at school, she enjoyed summers with her family vacationing at the York River, and her family lived comfortably in a large frame house in Williamsburg. However, Francis had not been able to establish a stable career for himself, and he experienced a series of failed business ventures. The family wealth gained from selling the farm in Wisconsin had diminished to the point that the family had to move to a smaller house and take on boarders. There was still enough money, however, to finance Georgia’s higher education. Consequently, in 1905, after she received her high school diploma, her parents agreed to send her to Chicago to study painting at the Art Institute of Chicago.

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