This is my great grandmother, Dorothy. I hear she wasn't a kind person, but I loved her as a little girl.

I would walk to her house at the end of the block and hang out in her smoky mid-century mod styled duplex. I remember playing with wooden vintage toys in an old dusty box in the corner next to the tv stand. She would take me to 'The Center' a place she hung out to play bridge and smoke cigarettes with the ladies. She would introduce me and talk about my beautiful red hair.

I would wash and style her bleached and dyed red (neon orange)hair. She taught me how to create finger waves with her super thin comb.

I would pluck her chin hairs (always afraid of hurting her) and apply her makeup using only the best, Avon. She loved her rouge and bright orange lipstick in the most ornate and beautiful package.

After giving her a makeover she would pay me $1. I would go to the penny candy store and get Swedish Fish and give them out to my friends.

I had many questions for her and loved climbing up her dresser drawers to see her beautiful jewels(I'm actually wearing her necklace in my profile picture).

This is where my love for Old Hollywood portraiture comes from. Those are the images that truly inspire me.

I've always felt guilty loving her because she was only kind to me, so I've been told.

G.G. Thank you for helping to inspire my life. I'm just realizing how you've helped shape who I am today. I am grateful.