Here the “world class” athlete is not holding the pose but the brush. Seattle swimmer Helene Madison may actually be painting the joyful creature on the rocks, although it is hard to hold one’s arms so for long. Helene Madison (1913-1970) developed from learning to swim in Green Lake to breaking 117 US. and world freestyle swimming records when still in her teens. In 1932 she won three gold medals at the Olmpic Games in Los Angeles. Two local pools are named for her, one in the Washington Athletic Club and the other on Meridian Avenue North. We don’t know the name of Madison’s model, although it may be recorded. This scene was, I believe, created for The Post-Intelligencer.