The Fuchsia Aisle Finally Got To Her: My Painting Process

I don't know if you will consider this a trick or a treat today for Halloween.  I tried to find my most frightening piece to post, and it was a toss-up between two of them.  I chose the one that was easiest to photograph.  OK, I have slides of them, but that does not help today.

 

"The Fuchsia Aisle Finally Got To Her"

40x42"

Oil on Arches RKB paper

'The Fucshia Aisle' refers to the toy shopping aisle that is overwhelmingingly this color.  If you are not familiar with this aisle because 1) you do not have a daughter or granddaughter or 2) you live outside of the US commercial market, I will explain it to you.  In toy stores or department stores like Target or Kmart in the United States, the row of toys that are marketed to girls looks pink or fucshia.  Most of the boxes and packaging in this aisle of toys is this bright, screaming pink color. 

The term 'fucshia aisle' in the title has not only this literal meaning, but also has a figurative meaning.  Figuratively it represents the 'ideal female body' in my society's media, advertising and entertainment.

This group of paintings had the female body image as a central theme.

The detail at the left from the above painting is of a doll I found in a child's room in that state.  If you click on the image you will see a larger view.  The doll is standing on her hands with her neck dangling down.   She has one leg straight up in the air and is missing the other leg. Her head is where her foot should be.  She has been given (or gave herself?) a very interesting haircut. Oh, and she has no clothes on.  Also of note, is that this doll is not a "Barbie." Or is a non-Barbie  (The Barbies in the room had their heads missing.  Those are in other paintings). 
 
In reality, the razor blade would be much smaller than the doll.  But here we see an enormous pink blade with the sharp edge up.  The opposite color from pink in terms of gender identity in the US is blue.  This is the color that not only the doll is surrounded by, but also is the background of the entire piece.  If you look closely, the underpainting that shows through is pink, but it is virtually covered up.  It is as if all of her decisions, options, choices are colored by this dominant sea of blue.  Other than the huge razor blade, there is nothing else in the frame.
 
Well, this seems like a peculiar place to stop.  Though it is Halloween. 
 
In my next post I will get back to the painting "Be Mine."

 
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