Sustained Investigation #12

Title: Imperfect

Size: 21''x 15''

Statement:

This piece was inspired by a video I recently watched. The video was about gender stereotypes and the extreme standards women are held to in society. Imperfections are a huge flaw in the female culture. I decided to use material that would support the imperfections found in everyone's body. This is shown through the large marks made, the rough shading, and sketchy highlights. I think it's important to show flaws when capturing the body through art.

I used large oil paint sticks on very large watercolor paper and acrylic for the background. I used the oil paint sticks for the body. I decided to use such a large, messy material in order to emphasize my theme of imperfection. I left the highlights unshaded to show my marks and smudged the blue and purple with my fingers. I mixed acrylic for the background. I made it orange to help the body pop out. I smudged the blue and orange into each other at the edge of the body to keep the edges from looking too clean.

I originally wanted to do a series of three bodies in different color schemes. I began by making a pregnant woman with yellows and reds, using the oil paint sticks. After I made the second, this one, I realized I didn't like the first one and decided just to focus on this body and the message of Imperfections. I feel like the piece is missing something but I'm not sure what it is. I might add more to the background or something to create more of a contrast between the body and the background.