Judy Garland made her first professional appearance at the age of two, when she took the stage in her parents’ theater singing Jingle Bells. Since then the spotlight never moved away from her.

Garland signed a contract at MGM studios at thirteen, where she was put on a diet of cigarettes, barbiturates and chicken soup without noodles. At sixteen she followed the yellow brick road looking to get over that well-known rainbow. Oz and Hollywood made a star of Garland. To the very talented stardom comes fast, learning to live with it takes a little longer.¹

She was adored by millions, but all that glitters is not gold. Driven to overwork and dependency on prescription drugs, Garland broke down and attempted suicide more than once, but rising above it time and time again.

As she got older she seemed to be yearning for a domestic life more and more. Dressed in pearls and furs she would declare her love for cooking, making hats, her children and for her husband, of which she had five throughout her life.

At times Garland mentioned that she was a gemini — the sign most likely to split. I’m a gemini too.

¹ Part of Jack Paar’s introduction of Judy Garland on “A Funny Thing Happened On The Way To Hollywood”, taped on May 7, 1967.

2019-2020
6 drawings on paper
various sizes