Colored pencil and watercolor, 27 x 20" March 2016.
As I created a non-traditional self-portrait, I considered items of importance to me. My grandmother was professional seamstress in the past and taught me at a young age how to hand sew simple coasters and simple mending. In time, she began to show me the ropes of a sewing machine. Between visits, I would watch my mother sew and learn a few sewing skills from her as well. I always had my eye on her bright red tomato pin cushion, which she later handed down to me. Similar to a spool of thread and pin cushion that aid you in putting pieces together, a nice pair of shoes makes you feel put together. When I dress nicely, I am much more motivated and have a more positive outlook. By dressing to impress, I instill a confidence in myself and feel put together, much like the spool of thread and pin cushion. These elements provide a resting place for the lively humming bird, which is modeled after an antique brooch to add a timeless appeal to the series. Artistically, I explored the way colors appear differently against one another. The humming bird’s vibrant colors act different visually against each primary colored item it is perched on. Through this series, I explored both concepts of working hard to put one’s self together and succeed, and how elements of life we face every day can appear different among various situations.