My paternal grandparents both worked in mills. My grandmother
Inga as a seamstress and my grandfather Herman as a doffer in
the Cranston RI area, then later in Lowell's juice factories.
Here are the 3 paintings I selected to portray the era. It was great
fun and very informative as I researched quite a bit before beginning them.
Thanks to the City of Pawtucket RI for this opportunity!
And, there is the Whitin Mill in Whitinsville MA where I found something new to paint in this theme.
Kristy
The Shop at Whitin Mill
Framed in pine acrylic 24x28 $548.00
Whitin No. 3
Framed in Pine acrylic 16x20 $198.00
Mother Cole's Bleachery
The bleachery is in a field near the Slater Mill where women lay out the newly made cotten to bleach in the sun.
Sam Patch: Mule Spinner and Famous Jersey Jumper
Sam Patch was famous all over as the first dare devil in America. He jumped the falls at Pawtucket on the Blackstone and went on to the jump the falls in NJ and NY, where at Rochester Upper Falls -the Gennessee River-on Friday November 13, 1829 he died after leaping from a 100 foot tower into the falls.
Mrs. Slatterery's Boarding House
The crowded conditions at the local mill houses were poor and many were sleeping 10 to a room. The food was meager and the chill was intense as they rose at dawn each day to go to work.
Shooters At Noon
3 young lads are playing a game of marbles while waiting to return to work after the the noon bell tolls.
The Mill Girls
3 young girls are working as spinners in a mill.
The Little Doffer
A young boy works as doffer in the mill.