BLOODLESS (2020) OIL ON PANEL

This is a painting study I made for a larger painting (Visiting Hours, 2021, shown below), I was planning for my 2022 museum show, Chronicle. The model studied ballet. We had different poses planned for that day but the other models did not show up so the photographer and model improvised poses.

We chose to shoot outside in the shade on a very sunny day, so all of the reference photos have an eerie glow. I wanted to try an exaggerated stretch of the arms and move it into more gestural style for the hands and fingers.

I ended up using a more direct pose for the painting (see below), but I really loved this little painting. I added the background and the tentacles to finish it off, but left it in rough study form. I have it hanging on the wall of my studio because it is haunting and lively.

EXHIBITIONS:

2023 FANTASMA PRESS, SOLO EXHIBIT PLANTED GALLERY, DUBUQUE, IA