Sustained Investigation #3

How can I depict the lessons my sister has taught me regarding femininity through subject matter and color? 

Using the symbolism of the mirror reflection and stereotypical girly colors, I represented my sister and the lessons she has taught me on the basis of embracing femininity.

7 1/2 x 10, colored pencils and white paint marker 

Reflection on Work:

I synthesized my materials, processes, and ideas in my piece mainly through the main points in my question: color and subject matter. Although nail polish is a neutral statement, many still interpret it as being something feminine especially if it’s hot pink or purple. Even when I wear blue or dark red nail polish, I still feel sometimes as if my femininity is being chosen for me because of these stereotypical feminine choices I’m making. I decided to use the mirror reflection of what many interpret nail polish as, something very girl, and the portion not being reflected, to be an honest reflection of who I am. I didn’t want this piece however, to demonize femininity or make it seem like a negative trait. I am still the reflection in the mirror, but I am less likely to accept those traits because of external judgment. The picture in the mirror is of my sister and I used the polaroid picture I have of my sister in my own mirror as the reference. The picture was taken in 2019, the date I wrote on it, which was a time when my sister and I grew really close because she went to college. This is also the time when I learned the most from my sister which is why I thought it was important to reference it. 

I learned a lot during this piece that will inform me in the future. I think I will focus on having very concrete ideas like I did in this one. It was a lot easier to start and finish this piece because I knew (basically) exactly what I was going to do, what colors I would use, the composition, etc. I was also very passionate about this piece and I think stemming from a place of excitement was really good in motivating myself to finish it. I would look at the outlines of what I hadn’t colored and was just really excited in filling everything out and seeing my vision on paper. For my next piece, I think I will be basing it around my grandfather. Although, I am unsure about the subject matter because he has many quirks I would love to feature. His favorite piece of mine is the abstract painting we did last year. I was thinking of doing an ode to that style and doing an abstract painting, however, I would like to see what abstraction reveals in a painting and if that’s something I want to convey with my grandfather.