Move Monday: Vodoo In My Blood
I love the energy Rosamund Pike brings to the roles I have seen her play, with this music video for Massive Attack feat. Young Fathers being no exception. Aside from this stunning piece of art, the latest film I saw her in was Return to Sender – which I would definitely recommend. It’s a feel-good film, I reckon.
Anyway, to make Monday more bearable, here is a cool clip of Rosamund and some winning beats (as always) from Massive Attack. Enjoy.
Water Babies
Happy birth time you lovely Pisces people! I hope you are having fun in life. Today I came across some beautiful watery images that I just had to share. A collaboration between photographer Natasha Wiseman and model Alexa Jones, this series “In Bloom” uses simple colour themes and amazing flora to make a cohesive series that is dreamy and youthful. I hope you enjoy it too.
Beauty in Chaos
While taking a break from my menial copywriting jobs, I saw this stunning piece by Alexandra Levassuer. I love her. Like a lot of artists I love, I sometimes forget about them, so it is great when social media re-alerts you to something aesthetic that makes your heart warm. I just had to share it. I also would like to eat it. Hah. Enjoy your days beautiful people xxxx
Tadas Sidlauskas
Lithuanian oil-painter, Tadas Sidlauskas, uses colour, ornamentation, abstract shapes and human figures to bring strong emotion into his paintings. I especially like these three pieces from his portfolio, mainly the use of primary colours in these first two images and the Klimt influence in the final image. To see more visit his website.
Elizabeth Yoo x Alain Robbe-Grillet
What do you get when you cross one masterful filmmaker with another masterful artist? You get more art, of course! I recently chatted to the talented creative, Elizabeth Yoo, about her recent work that uses the erotic cinema of Alain Robbe-Grillet as muse. Yoo’s expressive artwork is a treat on its own but, incase you are yet to meet, let me introduce you to Robbe-Grillet in the clip below. Yoo’s interview and artwork follows.
Firstly, can you tell us a little bit about your series of paintings based on the films of Alain Robbe-Grillet. I’ve actually never seen his films, as embarrassing as it is to say, but I’ll definitely be checking them out soon.
It was the first series I’d ever done and it was also the first time I’d picked up a paintbrush in several years. But I guess I needed that long hiatus from making art in order for me to expand my frame of reference, collect my inspirations, see what my true interests really were. This series was kind of a rebirth for me. Through painting my interpretations of these scenes from the first four films Robbe-Grillet directed (L’Immortelle, Trans-Europ-Express, The Man Who Lies, Eden and After), I was coming into my own. I felt like I was finally freed from inhibitions. These paintings are not just scenes from films—I also see them as self-portraits. They communicate my own desires. Although more widely known as a writer, pioneer of the nouveau roman (“new novel”), and a screenwriter, his films deserve to have a wider audience. I’m drawn to the ambiguity of his films– the line between reality and fantasy is indistinguishable. And of course, I’m drawn to the sadomasochistic eroticism and this desire mixed with fear present in most of his films.
What about sexuality in art do you find appealing? Who are artists that you feel perfect the art of eroticism? I’ve always loved Egon Schiele and you can find newcomer Kaethe Butcher on most erotic art sites, she’s taking the world by storm.
Egon Schiele is definitely one of my favourite artists. His aggressive, expressionistic style heightens the eroticism of his paintings. The angular bodies, the bones jutting out, pale skin marked by bright spots of red or blue that look like smears, eyes looking directly at the viewer, intertwined lovers: you really feel the energy. Another favorite painter of mine is Balthus, whose style is kind of the opposite of Schiele—there’s a calmness and a stillness to the figures in his paintings. There are defined, domestic backgrounds unlike Schiele’s work which has all this negative space. Kaethe Butcher is fantastic. Her style is incredibly provocative and I love the way she incorporates text into her drawings.
You use a limited colour palate in your work, does this act as a vehicle to explore darker undertones in your subjects? Or is it purely an aesthetic/style preference?
I think I express myself better in black and white than in colour. Black is the colour of nighttime and sensuality—perfect for my subject matter. I don’t have to think as much when using only black paint and ink—I can transmit all my raw emotions onto the paper without hesitation or forethought; spontaneity is key in my work. When I use colour, I’m usually drawn to bright, primary colours– but I worry if the colours will work together. Sometimes the cheerful colours contrast with my dark themes— I like that disparity.
Eros And After: Pleasure & Pain in the Films of Alain Robbe-Grillet was your first solo exhibition. How did you find the process? Was selecting the final work for display difficult or are you a total planner? How did outcomes meet expectations?
Originally, I was going to paint scenes from several more of his films. But due to lack of time, I ended up only doing his first four films—and I like that limited focus. I’m happy with how I ended up with twenty paintings. The perfect symmetry: we hung ten paintings from the ceiling on one side and ten on the other. I tend to over-plan and since it was my first show, a lot of stress was definitely involved! But I was very happy to see that people who came to my exhibit understood the work and saw how powerful and in control of their sexuality the women in the paintings are.
Your second exhibition is underway as I write this. How does this compare with your first exhibition?
The audience is very different and the way in which my paintings were exhibited is also very different. The walls of the gallery at my second exhibition are coloured (blue, orange, and magenta) so I feel like that becomes part of the artworks and changes how they look, which is interesting. At my first exhibit at Holyrad Studio in Brooklyn, we showed one of Robbe-Grillet’s films during the reception—so the audience (mostly twenty-something year olds) got a really full experience. At my second exhibit at Home Art Gallery in Long Island– it’s a suburban area and it’s an area with people of all ages, so the reaction was a bit different. Most of the Robbe-Grillet paintings were shown, as well as other artworks of mine with thematic and stylistic similarities. Most of the people at both exhibits had never seen a Robbe-Grillet film—so it was a pleasure for me to introduce them! I was able to meet Robbe-Grillet’s widow (and a very famous dominatrix in France) Catherine Robbe-Grillet twice shortly after my show and she told me I was “converting” people into “Alain fans”—so my work was done!
How important do you think exhibiting work is as an artist, especially given the plethora of online spaces art can be showcased these days?
I think it’s extremely important because you don’t get a real sense of the size, texture, and detail in a work of art unless you see it in person. I like to stand for a long time in front of an artwork when I’m at a gallery because I try to see the artist’s process: the brushstrokes they made, how many layers of paint they used, etc. It’s a totally different experience, too, seeing an entire series or a body of work in a gallery—you’re totally in that artist’s world and there’s almost a private communion between you and the artworks. Online,you may get a more scattered, incomplete experience.
You obviously love film. Can you recommend five films and/or directors to us?
Alain Robbe-Grillet’s Trans-Europ-Express (which I screened at my first show) is very playful and sexy—about a film-within-a-film. A director (played by Alain Robbe-Grillet himself), a script supervisor (played by his wife Catherine), and a producer, riding the Trans-Europ-Express from Paris to Antwerp, discuss ideas for a crime movie about a man who will travel on the same train they are on. This character, played by Jean-Louis Trintignant, smuggles cocaine into Antwerp and becomes involved with a prostitute played by Marie-France Pisier. The two have daytime trysts involving sadomasochisticplay that eventually become fatal.
Jean-Pierre Melville’s Le Samouraï. Melville is my absolute favourite director—a Frenchman who loved American gangster films and film noir, like me—this film stars my favourite actor Alain Delon playing a quiet hit man who follows the code of a samurai.
Roger Vadim’s Barbarella: Jane Fonda in some of the sexiest costumes ever. I adore her combination of innocence and total lack of shame about her sexuality. Campy fun. Shirley Clarke’s The Connection. I worked with director Immy Humes on an upcoming documentary about Shirley, who was an independent filmmaking rebel. My favourite film of Clarke’s is about a group of jazz musicians jamming in this Greenwich Village apartment as they wait for their drug dealer to come. A documentary film crew shoots them and it raises all sorts of questions about “realism.”
Agnès Varda’s Le Bonheur—absolutely beautiful, colourful film about a happily married couple, which takes a devastating turn after the man cheats on his wife. I really love the disparity between the colours and this dark undercurrent.
From your website I can see you are a total all-rounder when it comes to creativity! I love this. I also dabble in many art/creation forms. I’ve often felt the pressure to pick one art-form to focus on and excel in. Can you relate to similar concepts? Do you ever feel overwhelmed by having such an active mind?
I often do feel very overwhelmed! I have terrible insomnia due to my overactive mind. I often do most of my work into the night because I have no sense of time passing. My other passion besides painting is writing. I write very dark, twisted noir stories, psychological thrillers—a bit like Patricia Highsmith—and stories that fuse eroticism with horror. Once I am completely happy with my stories (I’m too much of a perfectionist which is why it takes me so long to complete a story!) I will eventually post them on my website with an illustration to accompany each story. My goal is to find a way to link my love of visual art with my writing.
See more of Elizabeth’s work on her website.
Merry Christmas
Wishing you all a safe and happy Christmas and festive season! (It’s already Christmas here in New Zealand! The sun is shining and it is super quiet and peaceful)
This is my ‘Virgin of Guadalupe’ artwork which seemed more than appropriate for this time of year.
Thanks for all your support. Stay cool, artful and open.
Move Monday: Earthly Delights
Mmm loving this fashion film. You will too! Check it out below.
Beth Hoeckel
I’m loving these fun, feminine collages by Beth Hoeckel. Each piece connects femininity and sexuality with everyday objects like waffles and plants to create super powerful imagery with an understated connection to the goddess. Oh yeah, what more could you want? Plus, you can grab them for under $20. Links below each image. Peace and love x
Lina
There’s something really powerful about this image by Marco Michieletto. The whole series (available here) has a very sensual energy but this image has a darker side that made me love it. The black and white colouring, amazing setting and pose and expression model Lina delivers all work together to make a piece of art. I just had to share! Hope you are all having a good week and getting through Mercury Retrograde… My computer keeps restarting itself with no warning…better post this lest I lose it! xx
Move Monday: Chelsea Wolfe
Chelsea Wolfe is the perfect addition to Move Monday. Her music is right up my alley and her hauntingly beautiful videos are the icing on the cake. Here’s Carrion Flowers to help you through your Monday. Enjoy.
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Move Monday: Young Girls, Move Monday: If Only, Move Monday: 212,
June – Elsa Isabella
Visual Female of the Month for June (yes, it’s still June) is Sydney-based artist, Elsa Isabella. I featured Elsa on The Visual Female many moons ago, showcasing her amazing skills at drawing tiny beauties. Since then, Elsa has been dedicated to her craft and journey as an artist. I wanted to get to know more and, of course, share it all with you. You can read the inspiring interview here.
Erik Jones
I love the vibrant artwork of Erik Jones. His work combines realism with abstraction and surrealism to create striking statement art that revolves around women. Here’s a few pieces I like, but check out a whole lot more here (it’s worth it, I swear).
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June Print Picks
June is here and I am loving the energy of the new month after a pretty sluggish May! To celebrate, I am sharing some uplifting print picks with the common theme of music. So, click on the link under each image to redirect to affordable prints that combine the joys of art and music. Go on, spoil yourself!
May – Claire Doyle
Visual Female of the Month for May is the fearless feminist, Claire Doyle. Claire is a multi-faceted artist from England whose work looks at gender and the body. This month I got to know more about the eloquent and passionate woman that is Claire Doyle. And you can too.
Genital Panic
Valie Export’s photograph Action Pants: Genital Panic shows her sitting with genitals exposed while pointing a gun at the viewer. Export’s work draws attention to the ideas of phallic power and whether it truly comes from biology or can be attained otherwise. Export showcases her lack of penis by exposing her own vagina but reclaims the gun as her phallic object and power. It was rumoured that this photograph came after a live performance, where Export walked around people seated in a theatre, her vagina at their eye-level, and pointed a gun at them while offering sex until the theatre was empty. This imagery reminds me of the film Magic, Magic where, post-hypnotism, the female protagonist walks into the room of a man who has been sexually harassing her (verbally) and rubs her naked vagina in his face, all while being asleep. The woman has no recollection of events the next day and appears mortified when the man confronts her about it. This scene acts to remind us that such overt sexuality is not ‘acceptable’ in a woman with both male anger and female humiliation driving this. Export’s photograph works in the opposite way, purposefully pairing femininity with macho aggression (common in a lot of her work) to blur set gender boundaries.
Performance artist and photographer, Claire Doyle, recently paid homage to Export’s work in her performance piece Habitual Body Monitoring: The Costume. Doyle draws attention to female body hair through her performance which you can watch above. The acceptance and freedom of female body hair has been gaining support in recent years with other artists like Petra Collins and Rhiannon Scnhiederman springing to mind.
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April – Marta Julia Piórko
Visual Female of the Month for April is the amazingly talented Marta Julia Piórko. Marta’s art is really fascinating. Her realistic style showcases animals and humans, sometimes interacting in interesting ways, and allows us to remember our own creativity as humans. You can check out the interview here.
Laura Makabresku
Polish photographer, Laura Makabresku, creates some stunning imagery with a strong, dreamy energy. Inspired by fairy-tales, Laura’s work is truly breathtaking and leads the imagination into new worlds. Here’s a few images that spoke to me, but do take a look at her portfolio for much more!
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Wonder
“You can’t let your curiosity die”
As The Visual Female developed I began including videos under the Move Monday section to embrace the moving image as well as the still. While those clips are highly driven by the visual – largely music videos – today I have something different (and amazing) to share. Wonder is a short documentary about last months Visual Female, Gina Martynova, directed by Jesse Brass as part of his ‘Making Art’ series.
Wonder is put together really well, allowing viewers to form a connection with Gina and gain more understanding of what she (and Starry) believe in. For Gina it is all about curiosity, the beauty in the fact that there is always more to discover in this world. You’ll have to watch to learn about Starry, but she seems pretty cool too. Wonder shows us Gina in her work and living space as well as beautiful close-ups of her art, something you can’t experience by simply seeing her work on the internet. This tasteful documentary is definitely worth a watch. And the best bit, Jesse has already made a bunch of films about other artists, some of which I am going to get stuck into now – the pink hues of Jen Mann are calling me in. So make a cup of tea (even if it’s hot outside) and relax while you get to know a few of the many amazing artists in the world bringing us joy through beauty.
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Sofia Bonati
I love Sofia Bonati‘s work. Her whimsical, sultry ladies and clever inclusion of weather make her beautiful style something to remember. Each time I see a new work I am just blown away and reminded how good her work is. I’ve chosen four images I wouldn’t mind having as art prints in my home. If you want to grab yourself an affordable print, click the name under the image to be directed to her shop where you can buy these ladies. Have fun – and the good news is, it won’t send you broke!
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Swallowed
Here’s another poem I wrote inspired by a piece of art.
Swallowed.
When I met the lion
he told me it was love
so I allowed him
to swallow me
whole.
Inside the lion
there was little to do.
And so his ribs
became my cage
and the lion
my master.
It is lonely at his zoo.
This image is by Ana Teresa Barboza. I also did a This vs. That on this image last year which you can take a look at here.
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Move Monday: Bitches Brew
Today’s Move Monday is a little hit and miss for me but I wanted to share it anyway. I’m more in love with the video than the song itself, although it does grow on me – and isn’t bad to begin with at all. What bothers me the most is the band shots. You know, silhouetted men have never really got me going. So in an ideal world they wouldn’t be there, but then again it is their song so they have all the right in the world to be there. The stunning women, grungy imagery, fun rituals and skipping (you have the love the skipping) are the parts that make this video worthwhile to me. In fact, they are so superb that I had to share it here, so if you can overlook the men take a look below.
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Move Monday: Young Girls, Move Monday: If Only, Move Monday: 212,
Vitalik Dumyn
Vitalik Dumyn is an artist from Ukraine who works mostly in water-colour and pencil. While I can’t find too much information about the artist, I stumbled upon these red and blue pencil drawings which I find quite cool. The layering creates an anaglyph 3D effect – I wonder if you looked at them with 3D glasses if anything would change? The energy each subject exudes is strong and feminine making the collective series quite powerful. It would appear that Vitalik is relatively new to the art word (online, anyway) so I look forward to seeing how his art develops. From my experience, the first few years can be quite varied and experimental as you are waiting to find your distinctive style and aesthetic. I’m two (serious) years into my art and, while always experimenting and trying new things myself, my style is definitely formed and recognisable. For any of you reading this who don’t know what my art looks like, you can take a look on my recently updated website to get acquainted! For those of you that know my work already you can just relax and enjoy these striking images below.
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Stephen Swartz
Firstly, I just want to acknowledge how cool it would be to have ‘art’ somewhere in my name. Lucky for Stephen, not so lucky for me. Stephen SwARTz is an analogue photographer who studied the craft well before digital was around. His work dates from the late 90s to the present but most of his work carries this 90s energy. I would put this down to the look of the women Stephen uses in his work, although I’m sure the analogue technique plays a part. It is pretty rare these days, with my beloved Ellen Rogers being the main contemporary analogue photographer I am aware of. I have chosen a selection of images from Stephen’s portfolio that appeal to me the most but I would recommend taking a look yourself to fully absorb yourself in his intent. Soft female forms are juxtaposed with geometric architecture to comment on the contrast between organic figures and structured forms and, on a deeper level, intuition and rationale. Stephen uses female figures to express his own feelings as a man, allowing him to explore his own emotional state – something he notes men often try to push down. It is important to respect the skill and patience it takes to work as an analogue photographer, especially in the age where digital technology runs rampant. I’m not one to talk, being a digital artist myself after all. I suppose at the end of the day, the most important thing is to simply acknowledge and respect art, both as the end form, as well as the techniques used to get there. I hope you enjoy these striking photographs. I just adore the first image and find some connections to William Mortensen’s work in a few of the others. Delightful.
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February – Gina Martynova
Visual Female of the Month for February is the beautiful and talented Gina Martynova. Not only a total babe, Gina is involved in both art and fashion with her whimsical energy translating to her feminine artwork that blends fantasy and reality. Gina is the creator of ‘Starry World’ – a place for her to express her unique cultural upbringing and ever-present day dreams. To learn more about Starry World check out this post, for this months interview click here.
Nadia Lee Cohen
London-based photographer, Nadia Lee Cohen, recently embarked on her ‘100 naked women’ project which has been met with mixed opinions. Her amazing photographic style is a little surreal and the opposite of natural – her subjects looking like Barbie dolls or mannequins after all – but I really love it! Cohen uses a bold colour palette, pop-culture iconography and striking composition to capture her subjects in a very ‘plastic’ state. The result is contemporary photography with a nostalgic energy that takes us back to the 50s, when pop culture and mass consumerism began to overwhelm our lives. Here are a few images from the series that I like but I would definitely recommend visiting her website to see a whole lot more goodness!
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Move Monday: Young Girls
I just adore this music video by Princess Nokia. Not only is the song really cool but the video is incredibly powerful and a good reminder about the honest connection and respect between women and nature. Living in my technology driven world it is a refreshing change to see women celebrating life with each other and our Mother Earth. Listen to the lyrics because they are really good. And then maybe watch it again. Beauty and power. x
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Move Monday: If Only, Move Monday: 212, Move Monday: Games for Girls,
Ice
It’s been a while since I wrote a poem based on a piece of art. I had hoped to do this more on The Visual Female. So as it is a new year and I happened to be feeling inspired today I have written this small poem about this piece of art by Lente Scura.
It was cold
when you left
I was barely clothed
and my hair turned blue.
It was like you had cast
ice over me
and with each shiver
moved further away.
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January – Janine Shroff
Visual Female of the Month is back for 2015. To kick off the year I talk with the super talented Janine Shroff. Her amazing artwork and illustration is packed with opinion, politics, humour and colour. So take a look and enjoy this thought-provoking interview here.
Three Wise Women
Who needs Three Wise Men when you can have Three Wise Women? In preparation for Christmas, here are some images that can help to get us into the season in a more contemporary fashion. Yeah, that’s right, with female power! I hope you are all looking forward to a great Christmas, whatever way you choose to celebrate! xx
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Kelsey Beckett
Kelsey Beckett is an amazing artist who works both digitally and in acrylics. She masters both mediums really well to create art that is provocative and a little bit dark. Here is a selection of digital pieces that really caught my eye (the first image is just brilliant). But be sure to take a look at her portfolio to see her paintings and much more work!
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Gina Martynova
Gina Martynova aka Starry Eyed Gypsy is a multi-faceted artist who is skilled in both illustration and fashion design. Her latest work, ‘Starry World’ is inspired by Tibetan Buddhism, especially the use of female buddhas in this culture. Martynova has a diverse cultural background, being of Russian and Chinese decent and living in Thailand for most of her years until pursuing her own travel to New York, London, Moscow and India. Her work explores multicultural beauty, drawing from her personal experiences as well as those she encounters on her travels. A bit of a day-dreamer, Martynova’s work is filled with whimsy and self-expression, while in each work there is also a lot of symbolism, all of which combines to express her unique position in this world. These stunning images are from her ‘Starry World’ series.
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Marguerite Sauvage
Marguerite Sauvage is a French illustrator who has a great portfolio of work, even doing some work for New Zealand (my homeland) clients. I recently found these two illustrations and something about them appealed to me more than Sauvage’s usual work. Both pieces have a political purpose – the first is against child slavery and the second is against harm to the environment via the overuse of plastic. I love the vibrant colour and find both images very captivating, as well as a little haunting with the use of the skeleton. The touch of death adds an important reminder about time and, for me, reminds us that what we do on this planet reaches a lot wider and longer than our own existence.
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Prue Stent
Photography student, Prue Stent, is pretty much amazing. Her latest series, Pink, explores what it means to be a woman through questioning contemporary beauty standards. Women, body parts and other objects are used, along with the beautiful colour pink. Her work is truly captivating and Stent explores her subject matter with perfection. Here are a few snaps that I adore, but to see the rest, plus her other outstanding series, then visit her website for all that goodness. Enjoy! x
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November Print Picks
Here’s a selection of art prints I think are pretty cool. If you also think these are cool then click on the link (the talented artists name) to be taken to the magical place where you can purchase them. All are really reasonably priced, so why not spoil yourself or a loved one? With Christmas coming it’s pretty much the ideal time for shopping and supporting artists. They all really appreciate it, I guarantee you. xx
Howard Tangye
Howard Tangye is an Australian-born artist who creates some amazing work, despite finding the life of an artist quite demanding. As an artist myself, I can relate to the demands of the job, the emotional highs and lows and the constant battle for something always out of reach. Tangye loves the body and line, using his skill to create expressive drawings with a depth of emotion and intrigue. I really love these two pieces because they remind me of Egon Schiele, who, as I’m sure you all know, I simply adore. If you check out his website you will see a lot of the Schiele influence, especially in the male figures (which I couldn’t include here!). I would easily put both these pieces on my walls. Much love and appreciation for Tangye! x
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This vs. That: Round Twenty
Oh my, This vs. That has hit twenty! That’s a lot of ermming and ahhing and analysis. This time I am looking at two striking images with the connection of fringes and actually quite a lot more. Mario Sughi takes on former Visual Female of the Month, Kaethe Butcher in a sexy showdown. To see this battle take place all you need to do is click this swanky little link. It might just change your life (unlikely, but you never know!)
Check out Round Twenty: Fringes here.
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Round Nineteen: Nymphomaniac, Round Eighteen: The Mouth, Round Seventeen: Louise Brooks,
Say it with Words
From top to bottom: Cara Delevingne wearing Self Evident Truths ‘We are One’ campaign t-shirt, Amanda Charchian portrait by Ben Cope in Discount Universe dress and Shae Acopian Detar photography.
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October – Babi Tubelo
Visual Female for the month of October is the talented artist and illustrator, Babi Tubelo. Babi’s art is whimsical and wonderful, with a dreamy, feminine energy. Born in Brazil, Babi incorporates her own culture into her work as well as drawing inspiration from Japanese prints and her love of Cubism. Check out the interview here.
Nikita Kaun
I came across some of Nikita Kaun‘s work a few moments ago and thought I just had to share some! I really love the darkness and evocative energy in each piece. Kaun is a self-taught artist working in Russia, which seems exactly like the right thing she should be doing judging on what I have seen so far. Enjoy and happy weekend to you all. xx
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Abbey McCulloch
Australian artist, Abbey McCulloch, describes her art as simple, illustrative and quirky. These three pieces I have chosen fit that mould, but also have a strange femininity attached to them, and in some ways, connect to my last post on Martine Johanna. Each woman is a little warped through the amazing painting style McCulloch uses. Their energy seems to be zapped, like they have given up trying. Yet, at the same time, I see a mischievous energy that lets me know they are not dead, but simple sighing at the world, enjoying some relief before battling on as Woman once more. The amazing hues of pink and yellow as well as the interesting compositions make these pieces of art well worth investigating. I certainly love them and hope you do to. Spend some time to absorb their energy and see how you feel. Happy Monday everyone! x
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The Grand Illusion of Sanity
The amazing Martine Johanna is currently exhibiting at Walls gallery, Amsterdam. Her exhibition ‘The Grand Illusion of Sanity’ looks at the history of women being made to feel like they can’t speak, that their minds are not sound and the misconception of female hysteria. These issues are really important as (sadly) many women still battle with them today. When we speak up it is easy for men to say we are ‘crazy’, ‘on the rag’ and other grossly untrue comments used to try to ‘put us in our place’ (The kitchen? The bedroom? Certainly not in front of a microphone or keyboard. I should get a wrist slap right now!) I have always enjoyed Johanna’s work and especially love these pieces from her current exhibition. I hope you do too! Oh, but whether you do or don’t, make sure you don’t say something hysterical, it’s only art after all!
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Self-Centred
It has been a while between posts, but I’m using my 26th birthday as an excuse. The celebrations kicked off on Saturday with a birthday brunch with my family, followed by a sunny day with friends and bubbles. For my actual birthday on Monday I had a combination of work, short-story editing, beer, amazing food, more bubbles and great company. Considering it has been all about me, I thought I would showcase some of my artwork this week. It’s been a while since I’ve showcased my personal work so here’s a look at a range of my more recent work. To see more you can check out my website or follow me on Facebook for regular updates. That would make me happy. Peace and Love xx
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Bec Winnel
Australian artist, Bec Winnel, is one talented lady! Her amazing, detailed illustrations are both precise and evocative with reference to flowers and nature. Winnel often portrays sensual women in an ethereal style that is both dreamy and a little haunting. She writes, “Through my portraits, I hope to contribute to society with beautiful and positive imagery of women, to hopefully remind us that women are beautiful, loving, mysterious creatures with an abundant amount of nurturing to offer. My art is a visual celebration of femininity and freedom of self expression, also an expression of my journey through womanhood.” Here is a selection of her work from a range of media. To see more visit her website.
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Blue Companions
I have connected these images together through their unifying blue colouring and the pairing in each image. Each pairing is different but they all have a slightly eerie nature to them and exude a highly emotive power. The first, a man and a woman amid sex (Milan Nenezic), next, two blue birds in a stormy setting (Zofia Bogusz) and finally, two women holding hands, eyes closed awaiting their moment (Shae Acopian Detar). I love all these images separately and even more when viewed together. Truly amazing painting by both artists and a captivating photography and fashion combo by Detar.
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Alex Stoddard
These stunning photographs by Alex Stoddard highlight the raw connection between humans and nature. Women are seamlessly integrated into the delicious, dangerous environment or are shown breaking out of it with fierce dynamism. I love the earthy aspects to many of his pieces, with the third image shown here reminding me of scenes from Antichrist. I want to see these images moving and to delve deeper into their essence, however, I suppose they are perfect just as they are. What do you think?
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In Nature
Brett Manning is an American artist with a diverse portfolio. I originally discovered her illustrations and through following her on social media was fortunate enough to see these stunning photographs. I love the vibe of the work, very feminine and empowered with a touch of witch energy (which works with Brett being a Scorpio – born on spooky Halloween in fact). A lot of her artwork makes reference to this, with cats, ghosts, witches and broomsticks scattered throughout rather lightly toned illustrations. You will also find ufos, aliens and cakes. The result is fun, quirky artwork with a little mystery and intrigue. However, with Brett’s photography, there is a darker, more feminine and powerful energy. Do check out her portfolio to see all her amazing work.
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Adara
I found these dreamy, fantastic illustrations today by Adara Sanchez Anguiano. My first introduction was a heavily pierced vagina, which Art for Adults is sporting as their phone backdrop. I had to look further and get to know this artist – anybody with this aesthetic has got to be good. I was a little disappointed there were no more vaginas… turns out this is a recent project, so there may be more risqué (as the artist calls it) pieces to come. I did find some delicious feline and female combinations which reminded me of JAW Cooper, as well as some sketches that embody an Egon Schiele energy. Great influences or what!? Let me know if you are loving this work, as I most certainly am. xx
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Milan Nenezic
Milan Nenezic is a fantastic, realistic painter. I love the colours in this image which is part of a series that captures moments often ignored in art. This one, called ‘The Moment After’, exudes a safe serenity and a heightened sensuality post intimacy. Evocative and emotional, Nenezic creates some truly fascinating paintings well worth exploring.
Here are a few more images from this series that I particularly like.
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Francesca Woodman
I love the connections between these photographs by Francesca Woodman. Both are feminist pieces (and obviously stunning!) in my opinion. The first positions Woodman’s girl-like face and ribbon with a more developed body through breasts and underarm hair. I really dig this part of the image because it is really quite subtle but entirely transforms the image from look at me to what are you looking at? So much strength and power as woman is conveyed.
The second image is cropped in a similar way and while the subject matter is also similar it expresses another concept. The idea of submission and rape come to my mind. Woodman’s face and body language retreat, her arms up and blank face saying ‘take me’, ‘do what you want with me’. Her hands scream I am innocent, don’t shoot through a familiar gesture, but the painted hand on Woodman’s chest indicates violation, unacknowledged hands. We can tell it is her hand that she has painted around, but ideas of other hands touching her come to mind. Combined with her submissive position, and the police aspects (hands up, painted body outline from crime scenes) this adds a sinister aspect which really makes the image so amazing. Francesca Woodman, you were one talented photographer. Thank you for sharing yourself with us, we are lucky.
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David Bray
David Bray is one truly talented artist. His amazing pen and pencil drawings are detailed and emotive, making them significant both for the technique and content. I have selected a few pieces that appeal to me, but with such a great portfolio you really should check out his other work where you can see more variety in mediums. I love drawings that are evocative. The way Bray balances detail with raw artistry results in his work being a captivating, aesthetic experience that is most certainly evocative. Enjoy!
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