Inspired by May’s designation as Older Americans Month, and with a nod to current blockbuster X-Men: Days of Future Past, Seattle comic artist Tatiana Gill has created a series of senior superhero illustrations celebrating the continued contributions of older citizens. Gill felt compelled to draw elder versions of the familiar characters, “since seniors are vibrant, valuable members of society, yet they are under-represented in comics and the superhero genre.”

 

Basing her drawings on original comic characters, Gill meticulously aged each persona while maintaining their unique powers and personalities. According to Gill, her depiction of senior Wolverine reflects the X-Men character’s slow aging process due to his mutant healing powers, but notes, “He does age.” Gill’s collection also includes a senior Wonder Woman illustration inspired by the silver age of comic art; it portrays the familiar heroine advanced in age, but as vibrant and powerful as ever.

 

In illustrating a senior version of Emma Frost, The White Queen from the X-Men series, Gill says she reimagined her as a powerful senior African American woman, adding “There is so little racial and body-type diversity in comics, I decided to create some.” Senior Rachel Summers, also known as Phoenix of X-Men and Excalibur fame, is the time-traveling future daughter of Jean Grey and Scott Summers who burns brightly with the cosmic power of the Phoenix—at any age.

 

To support Older Americans Month and because she believes “real-life seniors are inspirational heroes and heroines in our communities,” Gill will be donating 10% from any commissioned portrait of a senior citizen now through August 1, with proceeds going to Senior Services, an organization promoting positive aging for older adults throughout King County. “It’s a great way to support the senior community,” says Gill, and “to bring out the superhero in your favorite senior or yourself.”

 

Additional illustrations and information on commissioning a portrait available on the artist’s website, tatianagill.com.

Puget Sound Symphony Orchestra wrapped up a celebratory 15th anniversary season with Music Sets the Scene, Saturday’s spring concert finale at Town Hall. Featuring selections from classic films, the scene was also set for the return of acclaimed pianist Sara Davis Buechner, who joined PSSO for a standing-ovation performance of Gershwin’s Piano Concerto in F.

“Those of you who attended our spring 2013 concert know how incredibly lucky we are to have a world-class soloist of Sara’s caliber partner with a community group like PSSO,” said PSSO music director and conductor Alan Shen, who founded PSSO in 1999. “The chemistry between Sara and the orchestra was so relaxed and fun, I knew we had to invite Sara back to perform an even more substantial work.”

Well known for his banter with the audience, Shen took a turn at the piano for a quick play of the MGM theme music in a nod to the evening’s program, and later paid tribute to long-time PSSO board members Stu Heller, Gina DiLembo, and Cyndi Wilder retiring after many years of service, and original musicians Scott Selfon, concertmaster Daniel Shen, and Kevin Tao who have been performing with the orchestra since 1999, adding a special thanks to PSSO’s cadre of dedicated volunteers. PSSO board president Luc Purdy acknowledged (Alan) Shen’s dedication to providing the community with an engaging, accessible, and fun classical music experience. Keeping with PSSO’s ongoing commitment to diversity, Shen also welcomed senior patrons in honor of Older Americans Month; earlier in the season, PSSO honored veterans and active military personnel, and celebrated its young patrons during Music in Our Schools Month.

In addition to Gershwin’s Piano Concerto in F, featured in Vincente Minnelli’s An American in Paris and the Gershwin biopic Rhapsody in Blue, Saturday’s program included Rossini’s Overture to La gazza ladra (The Thieving Magpie), heard in Stanley Kubrick’s A Clockwork Orange and Sergio Leone’s Once Upon a Time in America, and Debussy’s La Mer, from the soundtracks for The Adventures of Milo & Otis, Mr. Bean’s Holiday, and thought to have influenced John Williams’ score for Jaws.

After an encore featuring Novelette and Ivory Tips, orchestra members joined PSSO patrons for an anniversary reception. PSSO’s 16th season kicks off on Saturday, November 22 at Town Hall, with winter and spring concerts slated for February 28 and May 16, 2015. Season tickets on sale soon at psso.org.

Photos: Tatiana Gill

Ask most people to name a female cartoonist and they’ll be hard-pressed to come up with even one name. Ask local cartoonist Tatiana Gill and she’ll gladly share a whole list, including Roberta Gregory, Pheobe Gloeckner, Mary Fleener, and Gill’s mother, Claire Montrose. Gill describes them all as funny, honest, heartbreaking, and talented, and it’s in that spirit she’s curated a collection of comic art to commemorate Women’s History Month, which this year celebrates Women of Character, Courage, and Commitment.

Born and raised in Seattle, Gill studied art at Evergreen State College after graduating from The Northwest School, but she’s been drawing ever since she was a child. According to Gill, her mom, a cartoonist turned stained glass artist, wasn’t just an early teacher but an inspiration as well. Her mother also happened to be friends with Gregory, who introduced the family to underground feminist comics, a theme that eventually would influence Gill’s own cartooning.

“I have always done “slice-of-life” comics, both fictional and autobiographic,” says Gill. “In recent years I have pulled more directly from my day-to-day mudnane experiences, instead of singular narratives or events from my past.“ While it may be self-expression that fuels her comics, she seems to have struck a chord with her audience. “I didn’t realize how many people shared my feelings. I like to discuss the things that people are frightened to discuss, because they make us vulnerable.”

A talented illustrator and photographer in addition to cartooning, Gill uses her art as a show of strength as well as vulnerability; her work frequently highlights the “amazing women” in her life including friends, family, and fellow artists. Gill is perhaps most committed to reflecting the diversity of women so often underrepresented in the media. “Every time I see a cool depiction of a woman who, like me, is outside the mainstream image, I feel better. I want to spread that kind of cheer around to other women!” No doubt those illustrious women in history would approve.

View the complete Women’s History Month collection.