idealization

Women are beautiful and that is only part of the reason why I paint them. 

I do not feel relaxed or glamorous while getting ready, but I create art of other women in these indulgent moments. When I tell people how distraught getting ready is for me, they don’t always believe it. I understand why they would not; most of my artwork is pretty women getting more pretty. It does not convey anxiety, and this is something I am trying to push more in my work. How does a painting need to look to create a sense of tension and low confidence? If I am truly so distraught over getting ready, why am I only painting the pretty results? 

The act of getting ready is a fantasy to me. The idea that I have the time and am enjoying getting ready seems to happen less than I imagined it would as an adult woman. Maybe I am adding to my own idealization, but my paintings and drawings are calm moments I hope to have.