I call this painting The Artist's Curse, as it was a painting I felt was never finished.
This painting is a representation of catharsis. It was created to convey the feeling of being reconnected to my greatest passion, my mode of expression that helps lead me to self-understanding; painting. Layers upon layers were applied, transforming the painting into something quite different each time, making moves that I anticipated would be satisfying, but had unexpected results. The painting was revisited many times over the years until finishing it in 2019. Even upon its completion, I was tempted to pick up my paint brush and try something else with the painting.
This painting, called The Artist's Curse, is sold!
However, this woman had her own plans. People saw her and loved her, and The Artist's Curse quickly became the first painting I have ever sold. She did not need to be fully defined. She was already a work of art, radiant in her essence of being. Perfect in all of her imperfections. She did not have to be flawless; she already made someone feel something, and that is enough.
The background was painted using a palette knife, using cool and warm colours to create a semblance with infrared thermograms. Thermography makes it possible to see an environment with or without visible illumination through variations in temperature. Warm objects stand out against cooler backgrounds, meaning that warm-blooded animals become easily visible. The subject of the painting is full of passion and heat and so, she is illuminated. She is a warm-blooded creature. As such, she stands out in the foreground, her light shining through. It is an expression of raw personality, of the spirit within, and of passion. The foreground was layered using a variety of paint brushes and techniques to create a piece full of movement, energy and life.
The headscarf was a result of unruly curly hair that I had painted just before, underneath. Typical of this piece, I continued to create and recreate this woman's hair, in a variety of colours and styles. However, each time the outcome was unsatisfactory. I remembered then a woman who used scarfs to tuck away her hair away when it was being unruly. It occurred to me that I could use this same tactic here. Instead of attempting to tame this woman's hair, I painted a detailed scarf to 'manage the curls'.
Although not related to the original intention of painting of this head scarf, I believe it is important to acknowledge the associated cultural history, particularly as it does not originate in my culture. Although the action of a woman finding a solution to unruly hair was the inspiration for this painting, along the journey of this painting it was brought to my attention that the head scarf has a deeply symbolic background. It is part of a long, rich history of black hair culture. As artists we are responsible for the messages we share with the world through our works; it is essential to pay tribute to history and have respectful intentions if you are going to reproduce its image. Head wraps are traditional attire in many African cultures, originally serving functional, oppressive means under enslavement. Women bravely redefined this over time, finding creative ways to use the head scarf it as a central accessory to symbolize resistance and power in the face of injustice. I continued with this painting as I believe the subject here represents a beautiful, powerful, inspiring and liberated woman.
This painting now lives in the home of female entrepreneur and Best Selling Author of The Hidden Legacy, Christine Rees. Christine has recently published her sequel to the series, The Broken Rivalry.
Photo of author and female entrepeneur Christine Rees at one of her book signings
Comments