MASKS
MAKE-UP
CLOTHING
ARMOUR
MASK AND PEARLS 2 2025
I liked the time-consuming embellishments I painted on a doll photo at right.
Keeping a lot of of the detailed work, I digitally altered the proportions
to be closer to those of a human female.
Does jewelry denote wealth and strength? Do the things we do to conceal and protect ourselves make us more vulnerable?
MASK AND PEARLS 2014
Oil paint over original b+w
photo of doll 20"x 23"
Woman Split 2019 Digital print 16"x20"
3 VERSIONS
DEFENCE 2024
These started with a self-portrait in pencil and collage.
I was exploring ways to suggest shape and mass by curving abstract designs over the planes of the body.
Cropped, and taken to the computer, the images evolved, including the allusion to cubism.
I think that women often use clothing and make-up as attempts to conceal vulnerability.
What about those nails in particular... are they weapons?
Details from the original drawing
HE PASSES HER BY 2026. Digital print from Pencil drawing
THE ASCENSION OF THE BRIDE 2024. Digitally manipulated pencil drawing
The connection here is with clothing. I often thought that weddings might lose some appeal for young women if the opportunity to wear that beautiful dress was not so seductive.
On "her day" the bride enters a contract that binds her in ways she may not have considered.
The bride's dress and veil, often covered in "seed" pearls, is an allusion to fertility and virginity.
A celebration takes place of the fecundity of her body and, at least historically, her improved status. Elevated by union with a man and sanctified by the sacrificial "loss" of her virginity, she becomes an icon of value and respect.
*Note: Without a live model, I settled for a Muybridge photo as reference, but It never really matched my original vision.