GOAT Synchronized Swimming - Ester Williams
SYNCHRONIZED SWIMMING
Esther Jane Williams (August 8, 1921 – June 6, 2013)
American competitive swimmer and actress famed as the MGM “Million Dollar Mermaid”. Esther Williams set regional and national records in her late teens on the Los Angeles Athletic Club, swim team.
In 1939 Williams was part of the medley record for the 300-yard relay also national AAU champion in the 100 meter freestyle, record-breaking 1 minute 9.0 seconds. By age 16, Williams had won three US national championships in breaststroke and freestyle swimming
Her 1940 Summer Olympics competition dreams were sacrificed for the World War II efforts, she joined Billy Rose’s Aquacade, swimming alongside Olympic gold-medal winner and Tarzan star Johnny Weissmuller(1904-1984). In 1940s and early 1950s she made elaborate synchronized swimming and diving performances known as “aquamusicals”. Achieving bathing suit pin-up status, launching her film and acting career alongside Mickey Rooney (1920 – 2014) in an Andy Hardy film and future five-time co-star Van Johnson(1916-2008) in “A Guy Named Joe”, From 1946-1954 Williams had at least one film among the 20 highest-grossing films of the year, including staring as Australian swimming star Annette Kellerman (1887-1975) in the Million Dollar Mermaid, followed by popular water-themed network television specials, including Cypress Gardens, Florida.
Appearing in over 30 films, US movie exhibitors voted Esther Williams among the most popular film stars in the country:
1947 – 24th most popular star
1948 – 11th
1949 – 8th
1950 – 8th – also 2nd most popular star in the UK
1951 – 5th most popular female star
1952 – 12th
1953 – 12th
1954 – 25th
Retired from acting, Williams was a successful businesswoman. investing in a manufacturer of bathing suits, various business’s and properties with a restaurant chain known as “Trails”. Endorsing a line of swimming pools, retro swimwear, and instructional swimming videos for children, she was a commentator for synchronized swimming at the Los Angeles 1984 Summer Olympics. The motion-picture industry, awarded Williams a star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame at 1560 Vine Street. She left her hand and footprints in front of the Grauman’s Chinese Theatre on August 1, 1944.
Synchronistically looking up! w2
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REFERENCES: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Esther_Williams
Artistic Perspective
The Greatest of All Time art is a passion of bringing historical sports or public figures to full color. The art starts with research into the personality and reviewing available images or photographs to reference. The research includes the historical location and fan fills bleacher seats for those who witness the moments. The 18” x 24 inch canvas is laid out with the contrasting color pencil of the primary figures or elements outlines. These lines become boundaries of colors, with distinguishing edges or sfumato blended or smoky edges or color – light shading or blending. The foreground is usually in focus with the subject figure in dynamic action. Careful attention is given to these autonomist positions as sometimes these are the most recognized images or captured photo moments of the subject. Crossing the finish line or hurling a fastball, the intent is the subject is flowing with eye movement so you don’t want to stop looking in on the details.
Applying color
Applying the mixed acrylic squeezed out of a tube with a 10- 20 minute dry time. Applying or blending the colors is a matter of color and water saturation. Appling the base colors from dark to light is usually the process. The base color layers then absorb the new wet layer to blend the 2-3 color mixtures to achieve the desired color or blends. The multi layers affect of adding more color achieves more intense color saturation or white or pure color to dark blending. The blank canvas to final brush stoke is normally 2-3 weeks. Working in 2-4 hours sessions usually in the early mornings. We hope you enjoy the art as intended to bring back the best of the sport! If you have a suggestion for a new GOAT please contact us.