Inspired by milagros, small folk shrines made in Mexico that are usually created to either commemorate the death of a loved one or as a tribute to a divine figure of the maker’s choosing after surviving a perilous ordeal. I first learned about them through the lens of Frida Kahlo’s art; she both made and collected countless milagros over the course of her lifetime. Some of the upcyced jewelry used in this piece belonged to my mother-in-law; she passed away in July of this year. Each piece I use her jewelry in is a little bit of a milagro dedicated to her and her support of my art.
Sometimes, in this paintings, my brain forms the image as a whole and sometimes, it picks out individual pieces. Most of All Along the Watchtower is a cohesive unit but it didn’t feel finished until I added those final splatters and dots of green ink - the ones that match the green on the central bead. That is Hendrix’s guitar specifically, which is interesting because rock guitars are usually shades of blue. Then again, he was very much one of a kind.
Amsterdam acrylics paint and ink, Liquitex heavy body acrylic, jewelry charms, glass beards, sequins, upcycled coral beads from my mother-in-law’s collection. On a 5” diameter, round, metal, Illy espresso pod can lid. Sides are painted.
Inspired by milagros, small folk shrines made in Mexico that are usually created to either commemorate the death of a loved one or as a tribute to a divine figure of the maker’s choosing after surviving a perilous ordeal. I first learned about them through the lens of Frida Kahlo’s art; she both made and collected countless milagros over the course of her lifetime. Some of the upcyced jewelry used in this piece belonged to my mother-in-law; she passed away in July of this year. Each piece I use her jewelry in is a little bit of a milagro dedicated to her and her support of my art.
Sometimes, in this paintings, my brain forms the image as a whole and sometimes, it picks out individual pieces. Most of All Along the Watchtower is a cohesive unit but it didn’t feel finished until I added those final splatters and dots of green ink - the ones that match the green on the central bead. That is Hendrix’s guitar specifically, which is interesting because rock guitars are usually shades of blue. Then again, he was very much one of a kind.
Amsterdam acrylics paint and ink, Liquitex heavy body acrylic, jewelry charms, glass beards, sequins, upcycled coral beads from my mother-in-law’s collection. On a 5” diameter, round, metal, Illy espresso pod can lid. Sides are painted.
