Midlife Mermaids
Midlife Mermaid 1, 2009, Oil, glitter on sewn and fiber stuffed canvas, 48 x 36 x 10”
Midlife Mermaid 2, 2009, Oil, glitter on sewn and fiber stuffed canvas, 52 x 34 x 10”
Midlife Mermaid 3, 2009, Oil, glitter on sewn and fiber stuffed canvas, 36 x 24 x 10”
Midlife Mermaid 4, 2009, Oil, glitter on sewn and fiber stuffed canvas, 62 x 40 x 10”
Midlife Mermaid 5, 2009, Oil, glitter on sewn and fiber stuffed canvas, 32 x 22 x 10”
Midlife Mermaid 6, 2009, Oil, glitter on sewn and fiber stuffed canvas, 38 x 44 x 10”
Midlife Mermaid 7, 2009, Oil, glitter on sewn and fiber stuffed canvas, 50 x 38 x 10”
Midlife Mermaid 8, 2009, Oil, glitter on sewn and fiber stuffed canvas, 32 x 42 x 10”
Midlife Mermaid 9, 2009, Oil, glitter on sewn and fiber stuffed canvas, 32 x 40 x 10”
Midlife Mermaid 10, 2009, Oil, glitter on sewn and fiber stuffed canvas, 10 x 16 x 4”
Midlife Mermaid 11, 2009, Oil, glitter on sewn and fiber stuffed canvas, 12 x 5 x 4”
Midlife Mermaid 12, 2009, Oil, glitter on sewn and fiber stuffed canvas, 30 x 14 x 10”
Study for Midlife Mermaid 1, 2009, Color pencil on paper, 14 x 11”
Study for Midlife Mermaid 2, 2009, Color pencil on paper, 14 x 11”
Study for Midlife Mermaid 3, 2009, Color pencil on paper, 14 x 11”
In my Midlife Mermaids series, I examine issues of female identity, gender, body image, body politic, sexuality, and aging. The faces and upper bodies of each mermaid consist of self-portraits expressing a variety of emotional and psychological states, including confrontation and contemplation. Within the shapes of the lower torsos and tails, I paint images of the mysteries, wonders, and wreckage of the sea: coral reefs, sea plants and flowers. These forms also reference both HIV and cancer cells and female sexual and reproductive organs, and the ruins of sunken ships. Opposites of vulnerability/power, beauty/ugliness, growth/decomposition, life/death and fact/fiction are contained and expressed in these works.