execution style

the last #selfie was very personal piece. it was a self portrait of the darkest kind, yet was also a happy accident. i had been tossing around concepts for a new series and kept coming back to the idea of depicting firing squads or executions. there is something about a red blindfold and cigarette that is both sinister and sexy at the same time. the happy accident was using myself as the first to be portrayed in such a grim manner. i don't particularly enjoy being photographed and rarely take selfies, so i thought i would use one my own images as the first to be "executed". the initial intent was to simply mock my own photo. however, as i sketched and the image took shape, the tragic irony of executing myself for the sake of art, was impossible to ignore. the end result was a reflective and striking piece. the wood was salvaged from an old armoire. i kept the original shape, feeling the disproportions fit well with the overall tone of the subject matter. i painted my self portrait in a simple matte black and bright red enamel. i brushed a few layers of tinted wood stain in the background for a little depth and added dictionary paper to the reverse side. soon after i finished the painting, i exhibited it Long Beach. i never intended to actually sell the piece, but a determined buyer was able to change my mind. hey, a girl's gotta eat! 

..visit my fb page for progress pics of  the last #selfie