Posts tagged oil
Nude with Cat ~ Balthus, 1949, oil on canvas
Pretty much, this is how I sit in all chairs.
multicolour/white/cream/beige/golden/yellow/green/aquamarine/blue/violet/purple/pink/red/coral/orange/amber/tan
The Pink Balloon I
by Stephen Mitchell
London, United Kingdom
Original: $1,700
Prints Starting At: $48
Whole series / multicolour/white/cream/beige/golden/yellow/green/aquamarine
Nathan Oliveira
“Blue Head”
Oil on canvas
1990
I have mixed feelings about this painting. It feels as though the number takes the forefront, and the painting becomes less about the painting itself, and more about the ‘braveness’ of this person admitting their weight. I feel like it somehow keeps us fixated on weight and keeps the debate framed as an epic battle for women, instead of just saying ‘Isn’t this a great picture?’.
I know, there’s a place for both, and I do appreciate the intent. I just think that sometimes the things we do keep us in this paradigm. Paradoxically, what would the response be to a painting that was called ‘120’? ‘85’? ‘300’? To me, this woman is in the range of ‘conventional beauty’. Relatively balanced proportions, no obvious rolls or signs of ‘fatness’, and so to name her weight is brave, yes, but… I’m not feeling like it’s hugely breaking any social conventions. Artist’s models come in all shapes and sizes, ages and looks. Artists may prefer a certain look or body type, and seek out the same sort of proportions continuously. Others like to mix it up. Is this a typical fashion/glamour image? No. But then, the medium is not fashion/glamour, and so the parameters are adjusted accordingly.
Half-formed thoughts from a tired me.
Whole series / multicolour/white/cream/beige/golden/yellow/green
192
It’s the name of the picture because it’s the weight of the model.
Having spent much of my career in advertising, I feel a tinge of guilt (by association) for the damage it has done in presenting young girls with grossly unrealistic standards of beauty. Along with its evil sister, the fashion industry, it has injected more unhappiness into adolescence than acne or algebra.
So I never miss a chance to paint a model—a very brave model—who refuses to be the slave of fashion, and is happy to prove that she has no shame about herself.
This picture is dedicated to all the young Tumblr ladies who regard themselves as losers, doomed to romantic failure, because they are themselves instead of the latest fashion icon. There are lots of ways to be attractive. Trust me, I’m sort of an expert on this.
(via musicalmasturbation)