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Published References"Bill Owens: Leisure," fotofolio, 2004, p. 113 (variant)
DimensionsOverall: 11 x 14 in. (27.9 x 35.6 cm)
Accession Number 2025.137
Classificationsphotograph
Edition1/15 (no more than 2 prints ever made)
Portfolio/Series"Leisure" series
ProvenanceJeff Perry; Des Moines Art Center [gift from the previous, 2025]
I have to keep in shape. It’s hard work being a realtor. Livermore, California, from the "Leisure" series
Photo Credit: Rich Sanders, Des Moines
Photo Credit: Rich Sanders, Des Moines
Photo Credit: Rich Sanders, Des Moines
Being a broker is the old "buy'em low, sell 'em high game. After the one o'clock bell, brokers have fifteen minutes to close their market orders. This is done by shouting your bids and positioning your hands. Palms out means sell, palms in means buy. I can assure you it's a fun game to win. San Francisco, California, from the "Working" series
Bill Owens
1976, printed 2006
Photo Credit: Rich Sanders, Des Moines
Everywhere we go we challenge the local high school team to a game. We let them win. It’s all for charity. Points don’t count unless you shoot from the back of the donkey. Donkeys are dumb and uncooperative, and they really hate to move. Livermore, California, from the "Leisure" series
Bill Owens
1976, printed 1999
Photo Credit: Rich Sanders, Des Moines
For his fifth birthday I took my son Max and his six friends to the Ringling Brothers circus at the Oakland Coliseum. It was all I could do to keep them under control and not lose anyone in the crowd. As party favors I bought each of them batter-powered plastic swords with flame blades and dragons on the handles. It was easy to find them as the sword blades glowed in the dark. Livermore, California, from the "Leisure" series
Bill Owens
1973, printed 1999
Photo Credit: Rich Sanders, Des Moines
Our singing group will take any opportunity to perform, especially if it’s a captive audience. Flights to Hawaii, from the "Leisure" series
Bill Owens
1978, printed later
Photo Credit: Rich Sanders, Des Moines
Lake Del Val, Livermore, California, from the "Leisure" series
Bill Owens
1977, printed 1999
Photo Credit: Rich Sanders, Des Moines
Livermore, California, from the "Leisure" series
Bill Owens
1973, printed 2004
Photo Credit: Rich Sanders, Des Moines
House and tidy lawn, Livermore, California, from the "Suburbia" series
Bill Owens
c. 1970, printed 2002
Photo Credit: Rich Sanders, Des Moines
Forks and checks, Tri-Valley area, Northern California, from the "Leisure" series
Bill Owens
ca. 1975, printed later
Photo Credit: Rich Sanders, Des Moines
Hornets football, Tri-Valley area, Northern California, from the "Leisure" series
Bill Owens
ca. 1975, printed later
Photo Credit: Rich Sanders, Des Moines
Let's Make a Deal, Hollywood, California, from the "Leisure" series
Bill Owens
1973, printed 2000
Photo Credit: Rich Sanders, Des Moines
It was a total scam. The really big rats were stuffed. Alameda County Fair, Pleasanton, California, from the "Leisure" series
Bill Owens
1976, printed 2000
Photo Credit: Rich Sanders, Des Moines
I don't feel that Richie playing with guns will have a negative effect on his personality. (He already wants to be a policeman). His childhood gun-playing won't make him into a cop-shooter. By playing with guns he learns to socialize with other children. I find the neighbors who are offended by Richie's gun, either the father hunts or their kids are the first to take Richie's gun and go off and play with it., from the "Suburbia" series
Bill Owens
1971, printed 2000