BLUES MY NAUGHTY SWEETIE GIVES TO ME:

This painting was inspired by Josephine Baker as she rises to fame in the 1920's, and one of my favorite swing songs as played by Sidney Bechet: Blues My Naughty Sweetie Gives To Me.  Written by Swanstrom, McGarron & Morgan and published in 1919,  this song became a top hit in the 1920’s.  Here, Sidney is playing to Josephine as he did in Paris for La Revue Negre which stormed Paris in 1925.  Josephine became the signature dancer of Paris and Europe during the Jazz and Swing era.  Sidney later took Paris by storm in the 1950s.  The two of them represent two of the most loved Jazz icons in Europe.

JOSEPHINE BAKER had quite the menagerie of animals that she traveled with,  Chiquita, her pet Cheetah,  being the most infamous.  She sometimes took Chiquita on stage with her, who not infrequently managed to get away, jumping into the music pit and terrorizing the musicians.  This made for a most interesting show!

Josephine was also known for her famous banana skirt dance, as well as being one of the most amazing Charleston dancers ever known.  Her dancing ability is still considered the best today.

She stayed in Paris for most of her life, and joined the French resistance during WW II, for which she received the highest metal of honor from General Charles De Gaul. 

SIDNEY BECHET was also quite a character. He was imprisoned in Paris in the 20’s after a street shoot out. In England He discovered a soprano saxophone and this became his hallmark.

Denise has been painting since she was very young.  Along with dance it is one of her great passions.  Professionally, she began her own Art Studio in the early 1980’s as part of an artist co-operative in Palo Alto, California.

Her background is in watercolors, Chinese Brush painting, oils and acrylics.  She studied art in school, and with Master Chinese Brush Painter Pei Jen Hao for 15 years.  In 1982 she went to China, just after it opened up, to travel and paint with Master Hao and other students. 

Today, Denise’s style combines realism with soft impressionism creating a style blended from eastern and western traditions.  Her work is available in originals, giclees, and cards.