Artist Statement
"myselfportraits, ode to icons and other absurdities"
My current work is an ongoing photographic portrait series begun a few years ago in which I use myself as the “canvas” to depict iconic females from history and fiction.
The women I choose for my photographs, whether they were famous, notorious, or capricious, exemplified courage and faithfulness in their beliefs. Moreover, many overcame immense obstacles in their factual or fictional lives. My wish is to convey to the viewer the experience of knowing and connecting with these icons as I have had.
When I create each portrait, my intention is never to impersonate but to embody each woman and to refer to her iconographic qualities. These images are deeply personal and subjective. The photographs are never taken; instead, I like to think that these powerful women gave these images to me.
With a background in painting, photography and film, my work is multi-layered. After distilling my knowledge and research of each “iconic woman” into a conceptual image, I then paint a life-size backdrop. With costumes, make-up, wigs and props assembled, lights positioned, the camera readied, the story begins…
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These Archival photographic images are printed on “watercolor” paper. Depending on my concept, I choose carbon-sepia or selenium tones for the photographs. Each print is then selectively hand-colored using artist pencils and soft pastels. Every photograph is an original work of art and printed in a limited edition of six.
