1920s Icons

1920s Icons is a gouache portrait series by Brett Hodges of Quiet Corner Art Studio in Omaha, Nebraska. The collection brings women from silent film, vintage fashion, and early modern celebrity culture back into the contemporary art conversation.

Many of these figures were admired in their time for beauty, style, film, and presence, yet some have become less familiar with each passing generation. Through minimalist Pop Art portraiture, I want to honor their image, preserve a sense of their era, and reintroduce them as timeless icons worth remembering.

Each original work is hand-painted in my Omaha studio using professional Winsor & Newton gouache on 100% cotton paper. I finish every piece with Dorland’s Wax, creating a protected matte surface that eliminates the need for glass and allows collectors, galleries, and curators to experience the texture of the paint without glare.

Artist Brett Hodges at Quiet Corner Art Studio, Omaha, NE, original gouache Pop Art portrait of Jule André from the 1920s Icons series, featuring a black and white portrait with a red textured hat, red patterned clothing, and a decorative floral back
Artist Brett Hodges at Quiet Corner Art Studio, Omaha, NE, framed gouache Pop Art portrait titled Miss Clara Bow Silent Films, featuring Clara Bow in side profile with a red head covering, red lips, a white fur style garment with black markings, and
Artist Brett Hodges at Quiet Corner Art Studio, Omaha, NE, original gouache Pop Art portrait titled Lillian Rose Rich, featuring a 1920s woman in a red cloche hat, red clothing, layered pearls, black and white line work, and a decorative floral backg
Artist Brett Hodges at Quiet Corner Art Studio, Omaha, NE, original gouache Pop Art portrait of Louise Brooks from the 1920s Icons series, featuring a black and white portrait with a red cloche-style hat, red lips, white fur collar, and a decorative