The Mod – is the title I have given this painting purely from the suggestion of the helmet and the time period it was painted. If you are unfamiliar with the English Mod youth subculture, you might read this article in Wikipedia. This painting was included in a set of Kodachromes from the early sixties but otherwise it is undated and unsigned. I do recall seeing the painting around that time but I don’t recall any backstory or client.

However, judging by the composition and the roughness of the palette knife work compared to later paintings, I would say this was done in a group setting possibly while she took a couple of courses after she returned to Bournemouth, see the biography for timing. I suspect part of this was to have access to a studio and outside feedback. This would also explain why it was unsigned.

I’ve no clue what happened to the painting except for the photograph and I have included it here because I think it shows an interesting stage in the evolution of her palette knife technique.