Celebrating Illinois Women Artists

travelled to New Mexico. By 1917, family responsibilities had increased, leaving Dulah little time to paint. She was, however, giving her artwork thought.

When she began to paint again, her work took on new meaning. She used figures in her paintings as she always had and her technique was as sound as it had been, but she had developed a highly personal vision she wanted to express and chose a fantasy style in which to do it. Her paintings are revealing statements, reflecting her desire for self-sufficiency.1 In 1921, she returned to signing her work using her maiden name, and over the next decade, tried unsuccessfully to leave her husband, always returning home unable to support herself, Evan, and Mayetta with her artwork sales.