THE NUDE
Over twenty five years ago I began a series of paintings with the female nude as the subject. Not your idealized body though but an image that has often been hidden from view. The full figured female forms I painted are highly cropped, close ups - almost in your face - as flesh melds onto the canvas.
When first displayed in my studio, there was quite a reaction from viewers - some admiring the now visible full form while others reeling in disgust at a body so large. I didn’t mention that much of the work was semi-autobiographical!
At a later time, I turned on the TV news to see what was happening that day. There was my nude image plastered onto the TV screen in an article about obesity. Over the years there has been much more controversy over the female form - some words of acceptance but the ideal image still prevails in the media and in many other areas.
I haven’t painted the nude recently but am thinking of returning to this subject. Maybe I stopped as I was told the images wouldn’t be purchased by a gallery/museum. I do know many of my clients were happy to support me and I thank them.
When first displayed in my studio, there was quite a reaction from viewers - some admiring the now visible full form while others reeling in disgust at a body so large. I didn’t mention that much of the work was semi-autobiographical!
At a later time, I turned on the TV news to see what was happening that day. There was my nude image plastered onto the TV screen in an article about obesity. Over the years there has been much more controversy over the female form - some words of acceptance but the ideal image still prevails in the media and in many other areas.
I haven’t painted the nude recently but am thinking of returning to this subject. Maybe I stopped as I was told the images wouldn’t be purchased by a gallery/museum. I do know many of my clients were happy to support me and I thank them.