It's International Women's Day!

I created a series of portraits in the winter of 2011.  I was full time teaching and Peter had taken a (what-he-thought-at-the-time to be his dream) job out of state. 

After wrapping up "the usuals" every day, I would sit down at our dining room table which I had covered with butcher paper.  This table was the place where I painted these portraits.  All gals.  Some self portraits.  Some alter egos.  Mostly just rad women (or girls), who were born on the page and provided fun dialogue and companionship during one of Minnesota's cold and dark winters.  

These are the portraits that remain. 

she swam with frogs and turtles and such... 

jumping in any lake is her refuge

acrylic painting on 6x4 puzzle piece, wire hanger, $40

swim day

she lives to swim in the pool  

she'll take air dried hair and her chlorine smelling bathing suit

over styled hair any day

6x6, acrylic on paper, framed, $125

her vibe (was too cool)

but maybe that was just

her form of self protection

6x6, acrylic on paper, framed, $150

she never tried to hide her feelings

and some people were

uncomfortable with that

those people weren't her people

6X6, acrylic on paper, mounted on panel (3/4" deep), $95.

in the days of Dr. Suess

ahhh to be part cartoon 

and legendary

simultaneously

6x6, acrylic on paper, framed, $125

if David Bowie had a sister

she would be unafraid,

unapologetic and

punk rock 

6x6, acrylic on paper, mounted on panel (3/4" deep), $95

the wallpaper reminded her of stars

she needed stars in her life at this very moment

and the wallpaper would have to do

6x6, acrylic on paper, framed, $125

school yearbook

ahh to be photogenic

settled in and comfortable

in front of a camera

6x6, acrylic on paper, framed, $125

These portraits are more recent.  Again, more rad women, created to keep me company in my studio.

today she would wear the blue blouse

hoping to be better understood

7x5, art print, matted+framed to 10x8, $75

 tall and proud

she had to learn to stand with who she was

after people constantly referred to her as

being "big boned"

11x7.5, acrylic on found paper, 85.

brown eyed girl

she'd had a rough go at life already

when she would grow up

it would take effort

to practice softness

11x8, acrylic on found paper, 95.

(could be easily trimmed to 10x8 for standard sizing)

supermodel
but she would never know it
she just always looked that way
10x8, acrylic on found cardstock, 95.

pensive in the white blouse

she learned it was 

necessary to use caution

but in the right environment

she warmed up quickly

11x8, acrylic on found paper, 95.

(could be easily trimmed to 10x8 for standard sizing)