MASKS
MAKE-UP
CLOTHING
ARMOUR
Does jewelry denote wealth and strength? Do the things we do to protect ourselves make us more vulnerable
MASK AND PEARLS 2 2025
I liked the painting on the doll photo I created years ago.
Keeping a lot of of the time-consuming work, I digitally altered the proportions
to be closer to those of a human female.
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
THE ASCENSION OF THE BRIDE 2024. Digitally manipulated pencil drawing
The connection here is with clothing. I often thought that weddings might lose 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 as a legally married woman. Elevated by union with a man and sanctified by the sacrificial "loss" of her virginity, she becomes an icon of respect and desire.
Note: Without a live model, I settled for a Muybridge photo as reference, but It never really matched my original vision.