Alphonse Mucha, Leonardo Da Vinci, Klimt, Maxfield Parrish, Brian Froud, Dali."Forever Strong Womanhood"***There was a time when I accepted average circumstances in my life. I ignored the power of choice. I would allow fate to conduct my emotions. By doing a considerable amount of soul searching, I came to the conclusion that I wanted to create what was always mine; what I destined myself to have. I know that this is a self-fulfilling lifetime that is adorned with a career as an art teacher. I know that I am capable of creating paintings that illustrate my desires and dreams.***
Because of this turning point in my life as a stronger woman, I wanted to convey messages in my paintings to women by illustrating issues of control, strength and power. I chose the turn of the century, the Edwardian Era, as a backdrop for my paintings because the time period was filled with conformity. Much like my earlier acceptance of average circumstances, Edwardian women based their daily decisions by the influence of their society. In each painting, I incorporated a confident or submissive woman to represent their specific challenge or obstacle. We should appreciate their travels and congratulate the journey they conquered to reach today.***
The figurative and symbolic subject matter that I chose in this series creates a surreal world of images that are haunting yet whimsical. They form a puzzling composition that dips into an eerie dream of the past. The paintings remind you of heirlooms that have aged through time. They appear to have a patina or soiled stain that has corroded the surface of the illustration board. I love to age the surface of my work with washes of acrylic paint that have natural hues. The figurative and symbolic images are drawn with pastel and dominate the collage of papers that have been collected on endless flea market journeys.***
I believe this series reflects my inner strength and how women have overcome the constant obstacles that play throughout time. The past has forced courageous women to rebel and weak women to have faith for the future. I can only offer my paintings to enlighten today's forever strong womanhood.***
Aside from being an artist, I am a K-12 Art Teacher.The images below are the eight paintings that create the "Forever Strong Womanhood" Series. Please enjoy!
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Title - The Figurehead *** My Great Grandmother had breast cancer during a time that could not provide the medical attention we have today. I wanted to paint an image that captured breast cancer patients as strong individuals that lead our men and women. I chose "the figurehead", a symbolic figure that was believed by the crew of the ship to sail them safely home.
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Title - Le Corsetaire *** This painting was the first completed in the series. It paved the way for "Forever Strong Womanhood" with its illustration of control and power. The clown represents "man" during a time of conformity and restriction. He tugs on the laces of the corset worn by an Edwardian woman who clearly is fatigued, yet hopeful. The relationship between the two is of reluctance and strength. A representation of a time period that emerged into today.
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Title - Insight *** She is my gypsy lady. A symbolic figure of an outcast during her time. She represents strength and stamina. A history of moving forward and traveling through time with pride.
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Title - Contraptions *** The Edwardians believed that beauty came before comfort. The turn of the century magazines advertised what I believe to be "contraptions", various garments that strapped, clipped, tucked, and masked the woman's soul. "Contraptions" illustrates the restrictive style that women were compelled to adorn. Their desire for an hour glass figure was mightier than their rib cage. The pair of scissors on the bottom of the painting is symbolic of the parallel between today and the Edwardian Period. Much like the garments that were worn to take away inches, we have today...plastic surgery.
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Title - Watermarked Indigo *** This painting is about a woman who rebels for her own ambition. I have always been intrigued by the turn of the centuries "Freak Shows". They seem to be adorned with posters and images of the rebellious and the "outcasts". The tattooed lady sits proud with her eyes speaking to you. "This is who I am." Each tattoo is like a personal journal entry that watermarks her body. A celebration of a woman's body that has become a vessel of traveled memoirs.
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Title - Bravado *** This painting was more of an experiment and a vision of myself. I have always been fascinated with the idea that we all wear masks to hide our true emotions. They present ourselves with "bravado" to survive an ever changing world. Sometimes we wear our masks for too long and are startled to discover what is beneath.
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Title - Who Wears the Pants? *** During the Edwardian Period, women were not allowed to wear pants. They were restricted to wear corsets and dresses that covered their ankles. Upon my research, I stumbled on a book by the name, "Women Who Wear Pants". The book captured the essence of women during the turn of the century who rebelled and dressed as men during a time of conformity. Actual photographs validated each woman's strength and muster. The painting, "Who Wears the Pants?" illustrates the emotion that women must have felt when restricted to one common article of clothing or perhaps a lifestyle.
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Title - The Marionette *** The series "Forever Strong Womanhood" dives into the social realm of conformity. Although many women were very much apart of their society, they often wondered what it would be like if the strings of "the marionette" were cut?
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Please visit Nostalgic Studio's Shoppe for the NEW GICLEE' PRINTS of "Forever Strong Womanhood" Series!www.nostalgicstudio.com***Note: This Myspace profile is to network with other "artists", family, friends, and people that have a genuine interest in my artwork. Please attach a message with your friend request stating your common interest.