She's been a phantasm since I was a kid, and I finally found out about the mysterious
Mud Flap Girl. I always saw her on mud flaps or in front of big trucks and always wondered where she was from. She was apparently designed in the 70's by Bill Zinda, owner of Wiz Enterprises in Long Beach, California. The model was Leta Laroe, a famous stripper.
In the name of political correctness , she will probably disappear one day (a sad day for sure). The Arizona State (U.S.A.) already tried to pass some legislation about it (
article 1,
article 2).
3 comments:
I like your post, I never really though about her origin, myself, but she really is apart of classic American imagery and will probably be studied in art classes for years to come. It is only a silhouette by it has be place so well. Especially the little gap between the legs where one bends and the other is slightly raised. From an artistic perspective none of the lines are calm, everything is moving. That is why the girl will never truly die off. Even if banned the mud flaps that she is on will probably sell for money and be searched for by collectors.
I appreciate your post and the tasteful way you described the image. However it is not the picture of a stripper but was a photo taken of a sun bather at Crescent Beach in White Rock BC Canada in the summer of 1974. Bill Zinda of Wiz Enterprises was visiting from California and started taking pictures approximately 100. He cleared the beach of the sun bathers asking them to move out of the way. I tried to ignore him because he was very annoying he gave me his card and asked my name and address because he told me he wanted to compensate me and needed to be in touch he also told me what was going to do with my picture and that it would be iconic and he was going to sell millions of product with my picture.
I thought he was a bit of a lunatic but there was something about his manner thnat was believable and he spoke with sincerity. He stated, I can tell you are a nice girl and that is very important to me I wouldn't want a picture of a stripper representing my product. I was in my bikini minding my own business and felt very strongly that he had invaded my privacy and refused to give him my last name or address. He said OK I understand but I can't walk away without you knowing that the silhouette of this image is You!
It's based on Leta Laroe and that is common knowledge. Cool story tho.
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