Dot has done numerous cartoons and drawings for her friends over the years, for the WASP newspaper, the PIPER Cub Flyer newsletter, the Orme Yearbook, capturing the drama of such stories as her parents' courtship, and the wonderful idiosyncracies of many of her friends. Some were birthday presents, others were done at Faculty meetings . . .
Dot's sister Betty was fortunate to be admired greatly by her siblings who took extraordinary efforts to document her every uncomfortable moment or any opportunity that was available to tie her up, leave her in a cemetery at night, or otherwise take advantage of her sweet trusting nature and extraordinary beauty. Later on, she was widely known as "The Pretty One"!!
Dot produced "the Mother's Day Series" honoring her mother's and father's tribulations in raising the four children, Jack, Dot, Betty and Robert . . . .
Dot's card from Texas . . . 1943
Winifred Wood, the WASP who wrote "We Were WASPS", was a life-long friend of Dot, originally from Miami, Florida, the aunt of Attorney General Janet Reno, a school teacher both in Idyllwild and San Marcos, she lived with Dot for a number of years before moving to Hemet in the last two years of her life.
"For Winifred - - - - I knew you don't like my 'outrageous etchings' but since you saved this lovely little birdie for me, for so long (so very long) I'm sure that this style is more to your taste. I think a modest black frame, or metallic if you prefer, will do nicely --- Lovingly, D"
Marguerite Courtney, daughter of Laurette Taylor (and Pulitzer prize winning author of her biography "Laurette") lived just up the way from Dot's home in Idyllwild and was a close friend. Often they would meet and enjoy the beauty of the Hill with an appropriate libation and discuss all the vital issues of the day.
Peg Dornish, Dot's colleague at the Orme School and ISOMATA, and close friend for many years provided many substantial moments of inspiration for Dot.
Natsuko . . . Just learning to drive in the Big City . . .
One of Dot's last doodles, drawn when starting to battle the effects of memory loss, and visiting her son in the big city of Arlington Virginia, far away from her beloved mountain home and the wide open spaces of Arizona . . . .
Copyright 2004, 2018 Albert Z Lewis Jr. / Estate of Dorothy Swain Lewis - All rights reserved.