I spent $100 on the plane kit and 50 hours assembling it. My goal is not to crash it in the first ten minutes. Mission Peak, Fremont, California, from the series "Leisure"

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I spent $100 on the plane kit and 50 hours assembling it. My goal is not to crash it in the first ten minutes. Mission Peak, Fremont, California, from the series "Leisure"
I spent $100 on the plane kit and 50 hours assembling it. My goal is not to crash it in the first ten minutes. Mission Peak, Fremont, California, from the series "Leisure"
Artist/Maker Bill Owens American, born 1938
Date1976 (printed later)
MediumGelatin silver print
DimensionsImage: 6 1/8 × 7 7/8 in. (15.6 × 20 cm) Sheet: 7 15/16 × 10 in. (20.2 × 25.4 cm)
Credit LineGift of Thomas J. Wilson and Jill M. Garling, P2016
Object number2019.18.72
Not on view
Collections
Published ReferencesIllustrated in Bill Owens, Leisure (fotofolio, 2004), p. 22.

Additional Details

Exhibition History 2024-2025
Clinton, NY. The Ruth and Elmer Wellin Museum of Art, Hamilton College. "Menagerie: Animals in Art from the Wellin Museum," September 7, 2024 –June 8, 2025 (no cat.).
Provenance 2019: Hamilton College (Ruth and Elmer Wellin Museum of Art), by gift of Thomas J. Wilson and Jill M. Garling.
Markings Verso, lower right (stamp, black ink): “© BILL OWENS / EXTRA BOOK PRINT”
Published References Illustrated in Bill Owens, Leisure (fotofolio, 2004), p. 22.
Signature Verso, lower right (pencil)
Inscribed Verso, upper left corner (pencil): “O874M / 2000”
Verso, lower right corner (pencil): “L22”
Image courtesy of the Ruth and Elmer Museum of Art at Hamilton College, Clinton, NY. Photo by B…
The last thing I did before leaving for San Francisco after my dad died was watch fireworks explode over the St. Louis arch on the Fourth of July. Two days later I crested a hill on Route 80 and saw the expanse of San Francisco Bay for the first time. It was so beautiful I cried. St. Louis, Missouri, from the series "Leisure"
Bill Owens
Date: 1976 (printed later)
Medium: Gelatin silver print
Object number: 2018.12.93
The Eagle Squares is one of 100 clubs in the Northern California Square Dancing Association. We called our group Eagle Squares because we used to dance in the Eagles Hall. My wife and I started when some neighbors talked us into taking a beginning square dance class. We found dancing to be good clean fun, something we could do together with little expense involved. Livermore, California.
The Eagle Squares is one of 100 clubs in the Northern California Square Dancing Association. We called our group Eagle Squares because we used to dance in the Eagles Hall. My wife and I started when some neighbors talked us into taking a beginning square dance class. We found dancing to be good clean fun, something we could do together with little expense involved. Livermore, California.
Bill Owens
Date: 1974
Medium: Gelatin silver print, printed later
Object number: 2023.12.66
Once you hit the Freeway you can be in San Francisco in forty minutes.
Once you hit the Freeway you can be in San Francisco in forty minutes.
Bill Owens
Date: 1971, printed 1998
Medium: Gelatin silver print
Object number: 2024.21.120
I've taught several of the Red Cross Child Education courses. They are open to the general public and they are free. It takes courage for people to say I don't know how to take care of a new born infant. In six lessons, I teach them about pregnancy, labor, delivery, nutrition of the mother and newborn, the first week of life, and growth and development in the first year. Most people leave the course with confidence to become effective parents. Tri-Valley Area, Northern California,
I've taught several of the Red Cross Child Education courses. They are open to the general public and they are free. It takes courage for people to say I don't know how to take care of a new born infant. In six lessons, I teach them about pregnancy, labor, delivery, nutrition of the mother and newborn, the first week of life, and growth and development in the first year. Most people leave the course with confidence to become effective parents. Tri-Valley Area, Northern California,
Bill Owens
Date: 1969-75
Medium: Gelatin silver print
Object number: 2018.12.88
Rocky coast, Tri-Valley Area, Northern California, from the series "Leisure"
Rocky coast, Tri-Valley Area, Northern California, from the series "Leisure"
Bill Owens
Date: 1969-75
Medium: Gelatin silver print
Object number: 2019.18.82
At the Livermore Air Show we sit around doing nothing. Everybody coming by wants to talk about stunt flying. Livermore Air Show, Livermore, California, from the series "Leisure"
At the Livermore Air Show we sit around doing nothing. Everybody coming by wants to talk about stunt flying. Livermore Air Show, Livermore, California, from the series "Leisure"
Bill Owens
Date: 1977 (printed later)
Medium: Gelatin silver print
Object number: 2019.18.64
KSFO Annual Easter Golf Match, Alamo, California, from the series "Leisure"
KSFO Annual Easter Golf Match, Alamo, California, from the series "Leisure"
Bill Owens
Date: 1977 (printed later)
Medium: Gelatin silver print
Object number: 2018.12.90
Image courtesy of the Ruth and Elmer Museum of Art at Hamilton College, Clinton, NY. Photo by B…
As long as I can work here I will. It's better than housework. Cauliflower packing is hard work but I don't even think about it. My hands go through the motions, my mind's somewhere else. The season lasts six months, then I pack tomatoes and collect unemployment for the rest of the year., from the series "Working"
Bill Owens
Date: 1975 (printed later)
Medium: Gelatin silver print
Object number: 2018.12.84
I like working at the shelter workshop. I can be productive and be part of the community. I make money and pay my own way. On my days off I watch TV, ride my bike and write letters to my friends. Someday I'm thinking of getting married.
I like working at the shelter workshop. I can be productive and be part of the community. I make money and pay my own way. On my days off I watch TV, ride my bike and write letters to my friends. Someday I'm thinking of getting married.
Bill Owens
Date: 1975
Medium: Gelatin silver print
Object number: 2023.12.65
Fourteen years ago Dublin, California was a crossroads on U.S. 50 and Highway 21. The population was less than 1,000 (most of them cows). Today Dublin is the crossroads of Interstate Highways 580 and 680 with a population of over 25,000 people. We now have fifteen gas stations, six supermarkets, two department stores, and a K-Mart. And we're still growing.
Fourteen years ago Dublin, California was a crossroads on U.S. 50 and Highway 21. The population was less than 1,000 (most of them cows). Today Dublin is the crossroads of Interstate Highways 580 and 680 with a population of over 25,000 people. We now have fifteen gas stations, six supermarkets, two department stores, and a K-Mart. And we're still growing.
Bill Owens
Date: 1971 (printed 1998)
Medium: Gelatin silver print
Object number: 2025.30.122
Davis Cup, Mission Hills CC, Rancho Mirage, California
Davis Cup, Mission Hills CC, Rancho Mirage, California
Bill Owens
Date: 1978 (printed 1999)
Medium: Gelatin silver print
Object number: 2025.30.126
I've taught my baton class through all my pregnancies. The exercise has been good for me. I didn't close my baton studio because there'd be forty girls without a teacher.
I've taught my baton class through all my pregnancies. The exercise has been good for me. I didn't close my baton studio because there'd be forty girls without a teacher.
Bill Owens
Date: 1975, printed 1999
Medium: Gelatin silver print
Object number: 2024.21.123