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(Music by Mark McAdam)
Editors’ note: There is some (illustrated) nudity in this video.
Artist Scott Lenhardt’s 24 Hour Woman calendar is an honest, lighthearted and surprisingly powerful depiction of what it means to be a woman in 2013. Over the course of the year, this big-haired, quirkily nude character will wrestle an alligator, paint a masterpiece, and install an air conditioner, all with a kind of cheeky confidence and panache (which definitely rubs off on the viewer).
As Scott whittled a wooden bird on the cabin porch, he told me that he set three rules for himself while drawing the 24 Hour Woman: every image must show at least one breast; he could use no visual references for anything he drew; and he had up to three tries to draw each picture, whereupon he had to choose one. These limitations kept the drawings fresh and unlabored throughout the year, with a decidedly free and un-precious feeling to them.
Scott says that he’s already collecting a list of new actions for the Woman of the future, in case he decides to make another calendar. He’s also confessed that he has a rather practical reason for drawing her naked: if he had to draw her clothed every day he would run out of ideas for what she can wear. No doubt.
Alex Rappoport is an award-winner director, cinematographer, and editor based in upstate New York.
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72 comments
Elizabeth from ABreathOfFrenchAir said 8 years ago
Cute illustrations! I loved the animated air conditioner the best!
Monika from hypericumfragile said 8 years ago
Great video. Great illustrations!
Roxanne Gibson from GeekkiBoutikki said 8 years ago
How oddly charming.
Michelle Traub from mtraub said 8 years ago
With so much talk in the media of whether women really can have it all, I just want to nakedly make a sandwich.
Shelby Beaulieu from AquaMoose said 8 years ago
This is beautiful. I feel inspired to draw now and create my own characters.
Natalia Snemis from expressyourself said 8 years ago
Awesome video and illustrations!
Alternative Blooms from AlternativeBlooms said 8 years ago
Wow! So creative and wonderful !!I will show this to my Tweens, I just know they will be inspired!! Thank you!!
Alternative Blooms from AlternativeBlooms said 8 years ago
Hehe, don't worry my Tweens are girls :) and very creative :) LOL
Mine Kurtulmus from LoveandKnit said 8 years ago
Love it!
Angela from DeliriumAccessories said 8 years ago
wow_!! I love her and the story!!
Pine from GoodOldVintageOnline said 8 years ago
Fabulous calendar..luv it!
Tara from tararie said 8 years ago
It's usually so hot by the time I install the air conditioners I should do it naked. Cute video! Great story! It must've been a fun challenge to come up with 365 things for her to do. That's hysterical why you made her naked! :P
Casey Sibley from caseydsibley said 8 years ago
This brightened my day, so awesome!
Vicki from slatternhouse5 said 8 years ago
Tara from tararie says: It's usually so hot by the time I install the air conditioners I should do it naked. Cute video! Great story! It must've been a fun challenge to come up with 365 things for her to do. That's hysterical why you made her naked! :P **************************************************************************** A; Most women have to do 100 things a day so 365 things in a year would be a vacation B; If She's anything like me she's naked because of hot flashes c: He should make a calender for what men have to do, but No one would get past March
Matejka Max from NattyMatty said 8 years ago
Lovely!
Desiree from ArtDecoDame said 8 years ago
Cute illustrations!
Patrick from EdelweissPost said 8 years ago
You 24 Hour Women have your work cut out for you! ; ) I applaud Scott's quirkiness* *Just to the right of goofy and to the left of charming ; )
Kimberlee from GracefullyGirly said 8 years ago
This is really cute. I like the light-hearted quirky nature (literally -naked- nature) of it. Thanks for your sweet explanation of your drawings. It makes them ever so much more approachable and understood. What fun it looks to be a 24 hour woman. It certainly gives levity as the contrast to the sometimes harsh reality of what it is actually like being a real-life 24 hour woman. Everyone needs a little levity in their life, and most especially those who feel like they are working 24 hours a day!
Ira from Apseed said 8 years ago
Interesting and extraordinary!
Penny Birch-Williams from PennyBirchWilliams said 8 years ago
I definitely appreciate the humor and quirkiness in the illustrations, and I can tell the artist has appreciation for the abilities and responsibilities that women have. Hmm, but...I guess the feminist in me still stumbles over her nakedness. Maybe because it implies such vulnerability, maybe because women's nudity is so sexualized in our culture, maybe because unlike a nude of fine art, this cartoon woman is not naked to show the beauty of the human form. It feels disrespectful of this character to have her drawn this way, though I understand that was not his intent. Probably I'm taking it too seriously. And it's just my personal take on it. I wish Scott Lenhardt success in his endeavors.
sherry truitt from sherrytruitt said 8 years ago
I appreciate your light hearted and lovely attempt at a complex problem. The glorification of busy in our society worries me though. I struggle with finding balance, as running a small business is often a day into night endeavor. There is often little time for living a real life.
LivingVintage from LivingVintage said 8 years ago
No, I try to delegate whenever possible. Especially housework! Interesting.
Linny from teazel said 8 years ago
this made me smile...
Megan from MegansMenagerie said 8 years ago
Love :)
Mary Lezcano from BellaBboutique said 8 years ago
Amazing representation of today's woman packaged in such a non-threatening lighthearted way, I love her. The 24 hour woman does it ALL, naked, and like a boss.
Jane Priser from JanePriserArts said 8 years ago
I like the art work.
Asta from CozyCappuccino said 8 years ago
made me smile. she really has character :) and I like this fact she do not look like a barbie doll :) yes, and I liked your home so much . and wish you succsess, Scott!
EL (Elizabeth) Chaz from lizsee4043 said 8 years ago
That's me, haha! Doing everything naked, hoo boy that's me :) Right on Scott!! I'll be buying one of those so I can show people I'm a muse!!
Barbara Moore from CapitalCityCrafts said 8 years ago
Wonderful fun, very creative, love it!
Murphy Adams from MurphyAdamsStudio said 8 years ago
i so love this!
Victoria Baker from LittleWrenPottery said 8 years ago
Beautifully shot video, I kinda like how shes naked seems more liberating that way! : )
Susan Pauley from SPAULEY said 8 years ago
I love her!
irini from IrinisWorld said 8 years ago
For the last ten years we have run an intensive participatory project involving quite heavy building work usually considered to be mans work. At least eighty percent of our volunteers have been women and they have generally shown a level of capability that have blown the men away. Couple that with a keen sense of initiative and there is really no competition. The girls win hands down. I am talking, stone laying, concrete work, woodwork, painting, serious landscaping, etc. That old muscle thing, thats all baloney......
irini from IrinisWorld said 8 years ago
Oh yes, she is cute...
Roxana from IlluminatedPerfume said 8 years ago
I bought two of these calendars as gifts this Christmas. We had so much fun as the the recipient opened hers up on Christmas morning and shared the images with everyone. I especially like the one of her beekeeping naked. :-)
Lynsey from lmouer said 8 years ago
Haha! Love it! Great story!
M Wheatley from wheatleypaperworks said 8 years ago
I really admire the perimeters you gave yourself when illustrating for the calendar, especially disallowing external source material. Who needs it? There is so much replication, cut and pasting and clip arting out there already that I'm pleased to hear someone embrace the truly original--the stuff that comes from your head. I once made a series of drawings that positively cracked me up! It's magical when that happens. Thanks for bringing a smile to my day. All the best.
Elsa A from CloudPearls said 8 years ago
I see the part of the nudity as something that is liberating since women have been treated like sex objects and. I don't find her funny, nor cute, sorry, there is nothing funny about a 24 hour woman and I think she could look a little bit more feminine, there is nothing wrong with that!
Elke Fontillo from oceangirlcollection said 8 years ago
The twenty four woman is a very interesting concept- and I get where you mean to go with her nakedness- and I am no prude- I have done my share of chores and projects in the buff- I think however her being naked does distracts from the message of 'here is a woman who get things done or who is doing everything or who is not afraid to tackle things in general"- and while it may even appeal to and represent some of us-I feel she is still a hard working woman in a man's world being exploited- even as a cartoon- But best of Luck in your endeavors-
Janet Hill from janethillstudio said 8 years ago
Brilliant! I love how she makes eye contact with the viewer- even while installing an air conditioner.
Mary Fore from ThePersimmonTree said 8 years ago
LOVE it! Made me laugh so hard!
Erin Inglis from COLRtheory said 8 years ago
She makes me laugh too. Sweet and whimsical, I love it!
Elize Nazelie from ElizeNazelie said 8 years ago
I like the one where she is belly dancing with the little belly chain!
Barbara from ionesAttic said 8 years ago
I don't often pull the trigger on the add to cart button, but this was an instant sell. (recently resigned and now a 12 hour woman)
AudreyAnne said 8 years ago
I love this. It really surprised me that the artist didn't go into the obvious feminist message: women are capable of anything, and our nakedness does not need to be sexualized all the time. This 24hr woman is not conventionally attractive yet she goes about nakedly and merrily doing all the things that need to be done. She doesn't conform, she doesn't care what you think, she has stuff to do! I hope this is an enjoyable piece of art because of its empowerment and charm - not because of the idea that somehow fat people are funny by existing. I'll go ahead and believe the former (even if the artist seems to be more motivated by the latter). I am just so appreciative whenever naked women are depicted without overt sexualization and with size diversity.
Diana Mulder from dianamulder said 8 years ago
How adorable...and his artwork, too.
aressa from OriginalBridalHanger said 8 years ago
Love the limitations set for yourself....What a great way to keep moving....keep it fresh, and get it done!
J.K. Ramirez from HudsonBlueArtisans said 8 years ago
Funny and insightfull
iammieCLAYshop from iammieCLAYshop said 8 years ago
So cute!
Erica Walker from EricaWalkerJewelry said 8 years ago
Seeing Scott giggle about it is the best part. Fun work, thanks.
Enid from prendasbyenid said 8 years ago
Great!
Polkadot Magpie from ThePolkadotMagpie said 8 years ago
Love the character you created! I am doing a 365 project with a life size skeleton that travels with me world wide. It's so much fun to see how people interact and react to her.
Marcia Lacher from TheMillineryShop said 8 years ago
That 24 hour woman is great. First off, I have a huge respect for anyone who can put pen (or paint) to paper because I cannot draw a straight line. But her nakedness! How cool! Things can be more fun naked.
theheirloomaddict from TheHeirloomAddict said 8 years ago
LOVE LOVE LOVE your illustrations.
SheEarth Crystals & Creations from SheEarth said 8 years ago
It IS funny when you do things naked - so agree. Wish I could be a 24 hr woman, but instead I will just admire this one. My mum could be though, she herds horses in the buff only with a dressing gown on every morning, yeah its not so great being her child watching That 24 hr woman :)
Cindy Grigiski from PapercraftingTherapy said 8 years ago
I don't see the charm or the art in this. Sorry, not my thing.
Nina from MoodsWingz said 8 years ago
Lovely video and interview. I can't help but wonder; why is she not pretty and attractive? (no neck, beady eyes, etc.)
Cindy Ellison from CindyEllison said 8 years ago
I LOVE THIS and I was really laughing .... so much that my husband wanted to know what was going on in here! I see a reality TV show in 24 hour woman's future!
Hendri . from butikonline83 said 8 years ago
Great feature!
Waxéla (wa-shay-la) Sananda from SpiritMama said 8 years ago
Really fun character, I love that she is in the nude, and how her hair blows in the air conditioner :)
Amy Bavier from PotsWithCharacter said 8 years ago
I loved the 24 hour woman the second I saw the thumbnail for the video, but hearing Scott talk about her makes me love her even more!
Deborah Kelly from Turtlesanvil said 8 years ago
I love 24 hour woman, it is cute. Hope to see more of your art.
Pleasant Folk from PleasantFolk said 8 years ago
This is really bad. Women exist and we do stuff during the day. Any time a female is present it doesn't have to be some grand show of feminism. He isn't even a woman so showing her naked brings up the same old issues. It just seems like he's cashing in on neo-feminism and trying to seem like a 'sensitive guy.'
Eleanore from FiberBeads said 8 years ago
LOVE, LOVE, LOVE!
Brittany from beadeddragons said 8 years ago
It's cute, but in really weird way. I'm not really sold on it, because it just seems like he likes drawing naked ladies, and he's trying to play it off like it something more than that...I don't like putting anyone down, but this just isn't for me.
Elizabeth England from ninedragons said 8 years ago
Completely charming. There is something so natural and open about the fact that the 24 Hour Woman is nude - she is elemental - she is each one of us - hiding behind nothing as she goes about her normal, daily life. Brilliant work Scott!
Cathy Erwin said 8 years ago
Kudos! this was a fun watch! I'm a DYI girl and artist! So I was enamored by your work! xoxo!
Polina Shirobokova from tarasandpolly said 8 years ago
This is a great video! I wish I could be as free and nude as 24 hour woman :)))
Laura Quattro from LauraQuattro said 8 years ago
This is gorgeous, super quirky and fun. I love that Scott has almost fallen in love with his character. Great vid!
Sonoran Desert Arts from SonoranDesertArts said 8 years ago
Thanks Alex for introducing me to Scott. I love Scott's laugh! He laughs at himself and he helps others laugh also. What a fantastic gift! His 24 Hour Woman is truly inspired. I want to plaster an entire wall with her!
thedustpeddler from thedustpeddler said 8 years ago
Yes. Just, yes!
Aurelia Z. from AtelierZephire said 8 years ago
Adorable, humorous, empowering!