Revision SI #8

I wanted to show clearly the idea that many people, women especially, put on makeup everyday to go out into public. Many feel uncomfortable and self conscious going out into public bare faced. I wanted to show that through this piece by making a literal mask and marking it up with both paint and actual makeup. I used my SI #8 as an inspiration, because that had a similar idea behind it, being drawn with lipstick.

I used paper mache to create the mask itself. I had to form tin foil to the shape of my face, so that the paper mache would hold its form. I then peeled the several layers of paper mache off, and coated it in white paint so that I could be a blank slate for the details. I also painted it white with inspiration from the queens in England in the 1800s, when being as pale as possible was the ultimate goal. This idea has not persisted exactly, but white skin is often seen as the ideal. I then used paint to paint on the features, I added the same lipstick I had used for SI #8 as the coloring for the lips of the mask. I then took pictures, I wanted it to be a photograph because I wanted myself to be in it, and for it to show the putting on of the mask, not just the mask itself. The black and white I feel draws almost a melancholic tone which I like.

I started with paper mache as I mentioned, and it took a lot longer than I expected to dry. I had to wait a really long time before I added the next coat, because if I didn’t wait for it to dry completely, then it would take even longer because there would be several wet layers. Then I had to wait again, another long while for the mask to dry completely before I could take it off of the tin foil form. I needed to not be flimsy really at all, because otherwise it would lose its shape completely. I then painted 3 coats of white paint. After painting in the details which was kind of tricky because they had to be precise and I find precision with a paintbrush really difficult. I then took photographs. I must have taken at least 50, I wanted to find the right pose and having it be meaningful. I had many full body shots, and just headshots, but eventually I decided on the one in the mirror because it really gives the effect of putting on your makeup as a person would in the morning.