x

x

x

This painting was completed as another for my concentration portfolio. Conceptually, I hoped to express eczema through subject, color, and texture. The subject, herself, has no face so that she may be compared to others that struggle with eczema. In execution, the skin condition was represented upon the body with a sharp contrast in color. The pink pops dramatically against the black and green, especially in the subject's left elbow crease. The irritation is even further accentuated as the brush strokes are cut short and applied perpendicularly to the other contours. In each of these ways, the piece embodies skin conditions that reach far past eczema.

The concept for this piece originated from closer reflection on how depression and anxiety have impacted my friends. A couple of them still have residual scars, and I wanted to highlight my concern in this piece. I accomplished that through the application of rigid lines that contrast the body and by further exploring stylistic qualities. Those qualities have been based upon the black mat board as well as brush strokes. I initially allowed the board to come through as part of that style to show the hollowness that the viewer must fill. I have also enhanced the style by exploring a confined palatte. With fewer colors, I need to use more varying brush strokes and follow the contour of the form more closely. I feel that I have achieved those qualities in this piece and, in turn, improved its overall effect and meaning.

Having a scar like the one depicted in my painting is rather common on mothers. There are many reasons that someone may choose to have a child through a cesarean section, so with this piece, I wanted to ensure that I preserved the subject's elegance and femininity. I felt that by using a range of pinks and purples, I would express that femininity, and I feel that the pose elegantly extenuates the scar as it runs parallel to her arm.

This final piece emphasizes the hollowness that one feels with cancer. I feathered out the skin around the brain, and allowed its iconic pink color to show through. Also, in considering this aspect of the piece I was sure to incorporate varying brown tones to show an inconsistency and piece that is to be rejected, the tumor. The rest of the body, I formed into a concave figure that showed pain as the fetal position does. In deciding that aspect, I was sure to acknowledge the pain and emotion that a brain cancer patient would realistically have, and while I cannot personally, understand those emotions, I hope they come through to my viewers.