As an artist, I find that my brush is guided more by emotion, by the depth of human stories, and by the unspoken words that images and colors can convey. Today, I stand before my easel, proud that I was able to capture not just an image, but a legacy - an example of resilience, ambition, and the pursuit of a dream. This painting is my tribute to Captain Wendy Yawching, the first female captain for Trinidad and Tobago’s national airlines, British West Indian Airways (BWIA, now Caribbean Airlines), a woman whose wings broke through barriers and soared beyond expectations.
When I first heard about Wendy Yawching’s incredible journey, I felt an immediate need to get to know her. Born and raised in Trinidad and Tobago, her journey from aspiring aviator to captain of a major airline was anything but conventional. Her achievements symbolize the power of perseverance and the importance of representation in spaces where women have historically been underrepresented.
Wendy Yawching is a pioneer, a woman who carved a path in a field long dominated by men, and she did so with grace, courage, and determination. As International Women’s Day 2025 approaches, I knew I wanted to honor her story in a painting, to celebrate the strength she embodies and the inspiration she offers to generations of women and young girls dreaming of taking flight - whether in aviation or in life’s many endeavors.
The Vision Behind the Painting
From the very beginning, I knew this painting had to be more than a simple portrait. It had to reflect her spirit and her journey.
They say the eyes are the windows to the soul, so I began with her eyes and spent a long time trying my best to capture her determination and the quiet confidence of a woman who has commanded the skies. There is strength in those eyes, a reflection of the many hours spent training, proving herself, and breaking barriers.
Her captain’s uniform is a symbol of achievement, a testament to years of dedication and perseverance. The crisp white stands out in contrast to the black, but I wanted to soften the edges slightly, allowing the brushstrokes to create a sense of movement - because her story is one of progress, of pushing forward. The four stripes’ insignia on her sleeves gleam with a quiet authority, a nod to the respect she has earned in an industry that wasn’t always welcoming to women.
The Role of Art in Celebrating Pioneers
Art has long been a medium to honor trailblazers, and I hope that through this painting, I was able to honor Captain Yawching in her captain’s uniform, standing proudly inside a BWIA aircraft which she commanded. I hope that this painting serves as a powerful reminder of how one woman’s determination can inspire change. I hope Wendy’s story will live on, encouraging future generations to dream fearlessly and pursue their passions unapologetically.
As I layered each brushstroke, I think about what this painting truly represents. It is not just about one woman’s success; it is about the possibility she created for others. It is about the little girl who will look at this painting and see herself in that uniform one day. It is about every woman who has ever been told she couldn’t - yet did anyway.
Wendy Yawching’s story is one of perseverance, and in painting her, I feel a deep sense of gratitude for pioneers like her. This painting is my way of saying, “Thank you.” Thank you for showing us that the sky is not the limit - it is only the beginning.
As International Women’s Day 2025 arrives, I hope this artwork serves as a reminder that women have always belonged in every space - on the ground, in the air, and beyond. And with each stroke of my brush, I celebrate not just Captain Yawching, but every woman who dares to dream and dares to fly.
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Vidya Birkhoff (b1965) is a painter and writer born in Trinidad and Tobago. A fine-art graduate from the Ani Art Academies, her studies focused on Trompe L’oeil - the Language of Drawing and the Language of Painting. Vidya shares her experiences through her paintings, with a composition of hyper-realism, while pushing color and contrast, to bring viewers into a distinct West Indian style. Vidya’s work can be found in galleries and private collections in Trinidad and Tobago, the US, Canada and throughout the Caribbean. She is the owner of the Yellow Butterfly Studios & Art Gallery, located at 7B Milford Road Esplanade, Scarborough Waterfront, Tobago, West Indies.
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