Blue about Seeing Red - Fashion Statement

When the old journalist in me has something to say, look out. I become obsessed until the "rant" is out. Instead of just writing it out anymore, I often do verbal/visual things - usually mixed-media collages.

So, what happened between Thursday night when I sat down in my studio, and this morning, when I put the last coat of varnish on it, was "Fashion Statement Special Edition- Election 2008."

By way of background, I have made a series of "Fashion Statement" collage paintings. In the award-winning series are four objects, two of which were sold to private collectors earlier this year. Generally, I produce them in series and right now there is a "Fall Line" and a a"Spring Line".

The purpose of them is to get women to realize their self-worth in a materialistic culture that objectifies the female body. High school and college girls really seem to enjoy them and I am thrilled about this. They are my audience; they are who I most want to target with the message.

Okay, enough background. Let's move on the special edition I just made.

I truly am "blue" and "red" about the miles of column inches the media have devoted to the clothing worn by Hillary Clinton, Michelle OBama and Sarah Palin. I am sad and angry that the issue remains "what they wear" not "what they know" and "what they will do."

On Friday night, as I was tearing newsclips and routing through my stack of goodies I gather for mixed-media projects, I recalled reading a story about Greenspan earlier in the day. I hunted the current newspaper down, found the article and slapped it on the canvas, adding some of my own handwriting to point out that reporters did not bother to tell us what ole Al was wearing when he testified last week before the Senate.

So, yes, by Friday night, I was feeling just a BIT less angry and starting to have fun with the project. In fact, I stayed up way too late Thursday, Friday and last night making the piece. It is doubtful I would have slept anyway because I was too fired up about the issue.

Rather than go on ad nauseum about the piece, I'll invite you to visit the gallery and to talk with me (via comments here, if you want) about the INDECENT EXPOSURE of our female candidates and partners of candidates.