Why would any one artist set her mind on such a massive project? Probably one answer was timing; during the height of the COVID-19 pandemic. Under unknown circumstances, how can any single person fill time meaningfully?

Since no one knew how long the pandemic would last; Kunz had no deadline for her project. That said, she was positive that she would never run out of faces to draw.

Her decision to focus on women of strength, each in her own milieu and era, came from curiosity, asking, “How come I never knew about these women?”

At her studio in Toronto, the isolation of the world-wide disease set her on a journey searching the internet for information about notable women in history.

Important to know is that Kunz’s exhibit is fun. Many faces are humorous as they look at the NRM visitor looking at them. Knowing Rockwell’s own work, it’s not surprising that guest artists’ subjects have a twinkle in their eyes or half-smile. Mr. Rockwell would be pleased.

Of course, many women’s names and faces were recognizable to Kunz and to most of us; i.e. Maria Callas, Isadora Duncan, Queen Elizabeth I, Anne Frank, and Gloria Steinem.

Then there were the subjects who were rather well-known from history books but without memorable faces; Edith Head, Nina Simone, and Dorothy Parker.

For those with no references to fall back on — the unknown and the unnamed — Kunz let her imagination create: Amanirenas, African warrior queen who defeated Augustus Caesar (died circa 10 BCE); St. Elizabeth of Hungary, princess who vested herself of all trappings to the needy (1207-1231); and Tomoe Gozen, legendary Japanese samurai warrior (circa 1157-1247).

Exploring and studying vast amounts of knowledge was essential to depict the “tenacity and courage” within each subject along with writing succinct bios.

The drawings are not sketches, later to become finished products. Kunz’s task – to unrelentingly draw a woman-a-day, without fail, complete art pieces set to frame and mount.

The commonality of her subjects are the triumphs of the women; whether it be with the hindsight of history (Sojourner Truth 1797-1883) or through current events (Greta Thurnberg b. 2003).

NRM curators have put logical thought into the placement of the pictures. Oftentimes, one portrait faces another as if in conversation. Other women are deep in thought, having fun, or purposely facing her audience.

Each woman is shown in color primarily on a flat one-color background. The subject’s actual signature appears in different forms. It is obvious that Kunz took great care in fitting the names with the pictures. Whenever possible, the signature is written in the native language (Egyptian feminist philanthropist Huda Shaarawi), others are bold in block letters (US vice president Kamala Harris), or in a font which replicates the accomplishment of the woman (television credits for soap opera pioneer Irna Phillips).

Visitors to NRM will need more than a few hours to view and read about each woman. If that is not a possible, Kunz’s coffee table book is not a substitute, but a companion on the page.

At the start of the project, and throughout, some names were culled from those suggested to her by people she knew as well as strangers who knew about her quest to honor women. Since COVID has somewhat subsided, Anita Kunz is no longer isolated in her home questioning herself, “What should I do next?” In fact, she has lots more women on her “to do list”. She actively seeks suggestions of women of tenacity and courage.