Day 13 - Kim Goes Shopping

I need to work a day ahead here, so following is something in advance for Sunday.  I'm not even sure how I arrived at this, but since Kim Kardashian West is everywhere, how could I not have her pop up in my artwork?  I happen to be, just like Jennifer Lawrence, a fan of the Kardashians.  To me it seems they work quite hard and they are beautiful chiquitas, you must admit!

I know they live a glamorous life, but can you imagine the constant vigilance it would take to always monitor what you look like and have to be followed by paparazzi?  Better they have the life than I.  I like the freedom to move anonymously and freely.

I just read a quote by David Bowie today from an interview he had with Tracy Emin.  It was originally from The Guardian, although I ran across an excerpt of it in Artnet News.

TE: Did you always want fame? Is it something you'd wish on your children?

DB: I certainly fancied my own spoonful of it when I was young. I was more than downcast to find that fame brought nothing more than good seats in a restaurant. There is nothing there to covet. The nature of fame seems to have shifted recently. I understand that it doesn't even get you a Madonna ticket these days. So I won't be recommending it to my offspring. Having influence is more rewarding for feeding ego. Satisfaction and excitement with one's work is the biggest buzz, though.

Click here for that full interview in The Guardian.

Back to Kim Kardashian West--here she is in full shopping mode according to my interpretation.

Celebrating Your True Self

Tonight Caitlyn Jenner makes her series debut in "I Am Cait."  Although I posted this artwork back at the end of 2013 as part of my 365 Day Project, I thought it was apropos to put it out there again and to celebrate people taking off their masks and becoming their true selves.

I remember when the announcement first came out this past spring that Bruce (at the time) was transitioning into a woman.  I initially wondered to myself, was he so beaten down by his family that he felt emasculated?  I wanted to understand why he was doing it.  Google led me to Chris Jones' June/July 2012 Esquire Magazine article, "The Strange Thing About Bruce Jenner." I felt sorry for him as the article reflected what was shown on t.v.--that he seemed left in the dust and his huge place in history and Olympic achievements had been forgotten.

I actually was relieved for him to know that he had had these feelings as a young boy.  Hmm.  That sounds quite strange I know.  What I mean to say is, he became a woman, because he internally felt like one and now because he felt like he was less a man or had lost his manhood through the passage of time and relationships.  Why I worry about his feelings, I don't know, except to say, I hate to see any human being hurting.

I was glad I came to understand Kris Jenner's side of it, too.  She said she appeared to be the 'Wicked Witch of the West,' because he was pulling away into his own issues, and she felt alone.  OMG!  Yes, I love to watch Keeping Up With The Kardashians!  (Thank you, Jennifer Lawrence, for admitting the same thing!)  I think they're the modern-day Brady Bunch, except that instead of the kids rooming in bunk beds, each one has their own million-dollar mansion. ha!  Anyway, who would have known that in the end, that show and Caitlyn's show would really be a touchstone for a huge, huge issue of love and acceptance.

So here ya' go:  A rerun and celebration for being your own true self, whatever that may be--take off those masks!

Day 356. Isa Removed Her Mask - SOLD

Sunday, December 15, 2013

Isa's body parts didn't quite fit together, and she had learned over the years to apply make-up expertly.  Shading made her nose more narrow and shortened, gave her more dramatic cheekbones, and reduced her jutting chin.  But she was tired of being someone she was not.  As she grew older, she also grew into her looks--or maybe she just grew into liking them better.  Whatever the reason, she decided once and for all to remove the mask that she had been wearing all her life.  Her maquillage was no longer needed.  Her confidence was strong.