It’s not for you, Perfume edition, oil paint, 22”x 28”
A woman may wear her signature perfume for her own enjoyment, creating an invisible aura and unconscious confidence, and, at the same time, this very act draws attention and provokes the gaze.
This oil paint-focused mixed-media artwork is part of the series It's Not For You. My work explores themes of the female form and the "expectations and power" that come with it. Specifically, accessories, actions, and stylistic choices that make women feel confident and beautiful, which initiate a sense of power and command, while from the viewpoint of the gaze, these accessories are worn purely to attract rather than for oneself.
My first step is to sketch out the composition and subject of my painting! The last step in this painting will be to add the pop-art-inspired lines that represent the perfume spray.
(September 27th, 2025)
Before I begin using oil paint, I applied molding paste onto the canvas to add texture and visual interest.
(September 28th, 2025)
Here is a side perspective of the molding paste application.
(September 28th, 2025)
Here is the first oil paint update. Taped onto the canvas is a sample background color for reference. I'm looking forward to developing this piece!
(September 29th, 2025)
I'm enjoying working on this piece and learning new techniques as I go along.
(October 2nd, 2025)
I'm very excited about the development of this painting. I've never focused on hands or glass, so this was definitely a challenge. Once the oil has had some time to dry, I will go back and add detail to the fingers.
(October 6th, 2025)
I'm currently putting the finishing touches on the face and beginning to start the hair, which will be in a bob hairstyle.
(October 8th, 2025)
Today I painted the background and began working on the hair, which I plan to finish tomorrow. The patches of bare canvas will be filled in with shadow tones.
(October 9th, 2025)
Since I am painting with oil, the background is still drying, which is causing a glare in this image and delaying me from painting texture around the hair and the final pop-art-inspired lines that represent the perfume spray.
(October 13th, 2025)
