Wednesday, September 15, 2010

Martha Sanchez as Frida Kahlo


Remember when Selma Hyack played Frida Kahlo? I've only watched that movie about a dozen times!
If you love Frida then get this movie! The imagery is fantabuloso.


One of my favorite female artists is Frida Kahlo and one of my favorite female artist friends is Martha Sanchez in Costa Rica. (See my sidebar for her web-site) I promised to paint Martha as Frida and true to my word here is the painting – Martha Sanchez as Frida Kalho.

The imagery that Kahlo developed such as the monkey which are ancient symbols of lust, the lush vegetation are symbols of fertility, her elaborately coiffed hair and exaggerated facial hair is part of her projection of female forwardness. I make use of archetypes and symbols from the cultural and mystical history that connects all humans and all life. Some of my work involves appropriation of the art of earlier artists; such as ,Frida Kahlo, Botticelli, Modigliani, Michelangelo, Van Gough, Other work involves imagery of Western and Eastern female traditions. My belief is if you are going to gain inspiration from other artists it should be from our masters.

This is the first painting in a series of modern icons painted in the Greek style of the Fayum portraits with encaustic beeswax. Just like the ancient Greeks I paint with a limited palette and specialized tools. My current obsession is with icon and Greek portraiture (see Fayum paintings). I have many modernized versions planned for the long winters night. I will post them as they are finished, please do check back with me occasionally for the newest paintings what’s happening in my life. I promise to do better in the future with my postings.

Monday, September 06, 2010

Quoth the Raven Nevermore

The Raven  - Antique Book Cover
11" X 8"
Encaustic Wax Collage

To celebrate the Ravens return we are planning a "For The Love of Ravens" show at Alaskan Crafters Gifts and Souvenirs at the Creekside Plaza in Wasilla, in October. I, Judy Vars am the featured artist. Check back for more information. I will be posting my artwork as it is completed. I have many Raven creation in my cauldron waiting to be born. It is not too early to be thinking about Halloween my favorite holiday.

Today was the first day of not smoking tomorrow I am going to the diet doctor and getting started on HCG and a 500 calorie per day diet. This chemical is supposed to force my body to burn only the ugly fluffy white fat and leave the good brown fat and muscle alone. Personally I know several ladies who have had great success on this regimen. It's better than diet pills, and lap bands. I talked to a woman who was so excited to have lost 55 pounds in a very short time, her diabetes was improved and she was feeling great. When I found out how expensive it was I just said, oh well, that's disappointing but I do not have that kind of money now. Then at the Alaska State Fair I talked to the doctor in the clinic here in Wasilla and filled out a chance to win a 40 day program. Guess What, a gift from the universe they called me and said that I won $1,000.00 worth of treatments. So tomorrow it's 40 days of starvation (how symbolic.) I am on my way to a new "live-it" now doesen't that sound better than saying die-it.  
 I intend to 12 step the hell out of it, pray allot and stick to it until I have reached my healthy perfect weight.