Georgia O’Keeffe, the renowned American artist, had a strong connection with her Model ‘A’ Ford. She often used it as a subject in her artwork and found inspiration in its sleek lines and iconic design. The Model ‘A’ Ford represented a sense of freedom and independence for O’Keeffe, allowing her to explore the vast landscapes of New Mexico, which became a recurring theme in her paintings.
O’Keeffe’s Model ‘A’ Ford became an integral part of her artistic process, serving as both transportation and a mobile studio. It provided her with the means to venture into the desert and capture the es- sence of the Southwest, which became a significant influence on her art. The car’s simplicity and reli-ability allowed her to travel to remote locations, enabling her to create her iconic paintings of the New Mexico landscape.
O’Keeffe’s subjects required her to spend hours – sometimes days – in the relentless New Mexico heat. In 1929, she purchased a Model ‘A’ Ford and taught herself to drive it. She cruised across a bright, seemingly
endless desert landscape, hunting for inspiration.
Her beloved car which she nicknamed “Hello” became something of a makeshift studio and was her favorite place to work. When she finds a space that ignites her creativity, she turns off the car, un- bolts the passenger seat, and swivels it to face the back window. She climbs in the passenger seat and admires the view of the desert through the windows. She places her canvas and paints against the back seat. She would be safely shaded from the harsh desert sun and the bees that would begin to swarm as the day went on. Her car gave her the freedom – and the shelter – to explore the harsh terrains that inspired much of her life’s work.
“I used to get right up in the morning and start out and stay out all day,” she wrote; “the windows were large enough that I could use a great big canvas.”
Moreover, O’Keeffe’s Model ‘A’ Ford was not only a practical tool but also a symbol of her individuality. At a time when women’s independence was still a relatively new concept, O’Keeffe’s choice to drive her own car and explore the world on her terms was a statement in itself. It reflected her strong- willed personality and determination to break free from societal norms.
