African Queen 1

African Queen 1 is the first of a series of three paintings.  In London, I had a wonderful opportunity to live and paint alongside one of my mentors, Rosa Branson, learning a classical approach to oil painting.  She suggested that I first paint a still life.  In college, I had come to dread the "still life" after an uninspiring experience—when an instructor placed a chair in the center of the room, surrounded it with whatever objects happened to be nearby, and told us to “paint it.” The exercise felt detached and impersonal.

This time was different.  I was encouraged to choose objects that meant something to me.  I loved this idea.  Having just returned from a trip to Africa, I incorporated a few mementos that I had collected. 

The African Queen sculptures represent Africa to me, especially the strength, resilience, and hard work of the women.  To be a rebel I stuck my "still life" next to a window to incorporate a "landscape."  The view looks west—toward home.

Original Sold.

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