The Psyche's Canvas

Thursday 7 December 2023

What's On The Easel?

Flowers, flowers, flowers. I'm experimenting with different styles and media with the aim of moving towards a semi-abstract approach. It's best to understand the subject matter before attempting abstraction, and this can be done by painting realistically first. Below are a few examples.

Pink Watercolour Flowers by Jane E Porter

Flowers in Watercolour

Watercolour can be very loose and have an abstract quality to it. It kind of has a mind of its own if you let it. It was a good place to start.

All That You Desire, mixed media flower painting by Jane E Porter

All That You Desire, mixed media on canvas board

I was going for a street-art vibe with this one, a bit grungy, using a blend of painting and illustration techniques. I like how it turned out 😊.

Master Study of 'Flowers in a Vase' c. 1866 by Pierre-Auguste Renoir.

A master study is always helpful, especially when you're stuck and not sure what to paint next. I love this painting by Renoir, and it offered quite a challenge. Although this painting is realistic, I had to move beyond that idea as attempting to paint so many individual flowers would be overwhelming. Instead, I had to think of it as abstract shapes and masses to be able to pull this off and not end up with something tight and overworked. I painted this in acrylic just to torture myself a little further - I find oils so much easier.

Lillies and Peonies, oil and acrylic

For this piece, I used acrylics for the underpainting, which dry really quickly. I then moved to oils so I could achieve greater variation in the colours and values. Oils also allow me to blur and soften some edges, which helps the eye to focus in and out of different aspects of the painting.

Thanks for reading this post and for following my abstract journey.

As always, have a wonderful weekend.

Janee x

For more art, follow me on Instagram and Facebook.

Jane E Porter is a fine artist and illustrator from Scotland, dedicated to exploring and understanding the fascinating interplay between art, psychology, and philosophy. As she navigates her own search for meaning, she shares insights and observations made over the past two decades with a delightful mix of wit and wisdom. Join her as she continues her journey, delving into these themes, offering you fresh perspectives and insights on art, identity, and storytelling.

Friday 6 October 2023

Flowers and Flirtations: Nature as Inspiration

Sweet Dreams | Jane E Porter

I've always had a deep love for nature, and it's been an ongoing source of inspiration. But, after a quiet dalliance with landscape painting, I quickly realised it wasn’t my forte. However, the natural world offers a rich source of symbols and metaphors, which provide a plethora of opportunities to add them as storytelling elements.

One of the most poignant metaphors I find in nature is the cycle of impermanence. Just as flowers bloom and wither, everything in life has its season. Deepak Chopra once referred to being, ‘in the Autumn’ of his life which I found very meaningful and endearing.

Just like the natural world, life is filled with periods of growth and dormancy, light and darkness. In the bitter chill of winter, nature rests, conserving energy for the rebirth of spring. She reminds us that no matter how dark or challenging life can become, there is the possibility to start over, to bloom again.

And nature is everywhere. As humans, we are inextricably linked to her, as we depend on plants, animals and microorganisms. As artists (and humans 😉) she generously offers an endless source of material to study, paint and write about. The flower doesn’t mind if I photograph her or capture her best side unlike painting a portrait where the stakes can be very high.

My latest painting 'Sweet Dreams' led me to research the symbolism associated with the flower and come up with the title. Symbolism can be subjective; attaching your meaning is as important as the artist’s intention. Below are a variety of interpretations of poppies I think you’ll find interesting:

Poppies: Facts, Fiction and Symbolism

Papaver somniferum L., commonly known as the opium poppy or breadseed poppy, is a medicinal plant known to the human race since ancient civilizations. Inside the seed pod is an opaque, milky sap. This is opium in its crudest form. Opium is a powerful narcotic whose derivatives include morphine, codeine, heroin, and oxycodone. ‘Narcotic’ refers to opium, opium derivatives, and their semi-synthetic substitutes, used therapeutically to treat pain, suppress cough and induce anaesthesia. They are some of the most addictive substances known to man.

Sleep

In Greek and Roman myths, poppies were used as offerings to the dead and used as emblems on tombstones. They symbolised eternal sleep because of the sedative qualities of opium.

Hypnos, the god of sleep, often holds a poppy or places poppy flowers on someone’s head to help them sleep. Demeter, the goddess of agriculture, also used poppies to help people sleep and find rest from their troubles.

In The Wizard of Oz, poppies had a memorable story element:

‘And now my beauties, something with poison in it I think, with poison in it, but attractive to the eye and soothing to the smell . . . poppies, poppies, poppies will put them to sleep.’ The Wicked Witch of the West, The Wizard of Oz (movie, released 1939).

‘Now it is well known that when there are many of these flowers together their odour is so powerful that anyone who breathes it falls asleep, and if the sleeper is not carried away from the scent of the flowers, he sleeps on and on forever...’ Excerpt from The Wonderful Wizard of Oz (book, published 1900)

Sleep and Dreams

Morpheus, meaning transformation, was the son of Hypnos and the god of dreams. His attributes included a horn of sleep-inducing opium. Morphine, an opium derivative, gets its name from Morpheus.

The Greek gods often chose him as their messenger to appear in the dreams of mortals. Dreams could liberate the desires, hopes, and imaginations of the sleeper and, upon waking, would motivate them toward action. However, some dreams could portray false realities, manipulating the receiver into untoward action.

Remembrance

The most common association with poppies today is remembrance, particularly for those who have died in war. This association is linked to historical events where scarlet corn poppies grew in soil disturbed by war. Poppies grew in fields across Europe during World War I, despite the destruction and death caused by the war.

Hope

Poppies are a metaphor for hope of a peaceful future. They thrive even in the poorest soil, rest during the winter and bloom again in the spring, the season of rebirth.

Resurrection

In Christianity, poppies symbolise the blood of Christ, his resurrection and his ascension. Poppies often grow where the earth has been disturbed and are connected to new life emerging from death or destruction. The Bible refers to the ‘flower of the field’, which could refer to any flower however poppies became part of Christian belief in popular culture and art.

Magic and Witchcraft

This is a true story! Poppies were used in spells and charms to create mental confusion and prevent rational thinking. The seeds are connected to the astrological sign of Gemini, the planets, Neptune and the moon, Ajna, also known as the third-eye chakra, associated with intuition, insight, spiritual awareness and feminine energy.

Thanks for reading until the end. I got quite lost in the symbolism research but learned a lot, pretty good for a late Friday afternoon.

Did you find the symbolism behind poppies intriguing? Do you have any thoughts or experiences of symbols and metaphors in art or other media you’d like to share? Please leave a comment below and keep the conversation going!

As always, have a wonderful weekend.

Janee x

Be The First to Know

To discover new works, insights from art history and the power of storytelling, Click here

For more art, follow me on Instagram and Facebook.

Jane E Porter is a fine artist and illustrator from Scotland, dedicated to exploring and understanding the fascinating interplay between art, psychology and philosophy. As she navigates her own search for meaning, she shares insights and observations made over the past two decades with a delightful mix of wit and wisdom. Join her as she continues her journey, delving into these themes, offering you fresh perspectives and insights on art, identity and storytelling.

Resources

The Wizard of Oz

Greek Gods

Transforming Opium Poppies

Poppy Flower Meaning

Thursday 5 October 2023

Art and Alchemy: From Disenchantment to Empowerment

Renegade Rose 2023 | Jane E Porter

“Owning our story can be hard but not nearly as difficult as spending our lives running from it. Embracing our vulnerabilities is risky but not nearly as dangerous as giving up on love and belonging and joy—the experiences that make us the most vulnerable. Only when we are brave enough to explore the darkness will we discover the infinite power of our light.” Brené Brown

So, here goes 😬 …

Ever since I was a child, I have been both fascinated and terrified by the absolute absurdity of human beings. What started out as hope, almost unwittingly transmogrified into a cacophony of disenchantment.; Only a resonance of how I believed life was meant to be remained and the dawn of a new reality emerged.

The departure of love is not as painful as one might think, as it quickly becomes the status quo, the new you. Adorning the robes of the rejected adds weight to the creative endeavour, giving licence to do, whatever the hell you like.

Yet the unrelenting pull towards a warmer life, unconscious though it may have been, left an aching emptiness that no amount of creative output could soothe. Slipping into the abyss, I can only describe as the most horrendous, and later transformative time of my life.

“Vulnerability is the birthplace of innovation, creativity and change.” Brené Brown

There was a certain fear of relinquishing the dark matter – who will I be, will I have any substance? Will I be left with the remnants of a limited capacity to only produce pastiche? Isn’t misery the essence of great art? It may or may not be, but eventually, misery leads to death, either in physical form or in spirit.

The depth of my experiences, from childhood to each new moment, dark and light, still seep into my work without invitation. I could, of course, suppress them, but I’ve found that truth finds its way out through a myriad of media. And isn’t that what real art is about, expressing what can’t be said in words, however light, dark or inappropriate?

I believe we all share the desire for innate expression, connecting me to you and you to me. Our stories may be a perception or constructed reality, but they still live intently within us longing for a means of message.

My story is your story, my medium is art.

If you found this article helpful or you can relate, I'd love to hear from you. Please leave a comment below or reach out to me by following this link.

Image: Renegade represents a rebellious spirit, strong and resilient. The flowers symbolise femininity, passion and growth.

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Friday 22 September 2023

Fifi Trixabelle: How to Capture Expression and Personality in a Portrait

Fifi Trixabel aka Mimi | portrait commission | Jane E Porter 2023

I’d like to share one of my favourite portrait paintings, Fifi Trixabelle. It’s a commissioned piece of Mimi, the daughter of one of my closest friends, Daisy Jo Bear. The story begins with Daisy Jo announcing, ‘By the way, I don’t really like portraits…’

Well, that was a kicker 🤪! How was I going to paint a portrait she’d love when she doesn’t like portraits? However, I love problem-solving; it’s like a drug to me, so I was up for the challenge.

Luckily, I was given carte blanche when it came to choosing the reference photo so I opted for the one that was the most ‘out there’. As artists, we have a trained eye to see potential in what may be considered a risky or even bad choice. Daisy Jo was a bit surprised by my choice but after, what felt like a long ponder said, ‘Go ahead. I trust you!’ And that was that.

The Portrait Painting Process

I approached the digital painting process in a similar way to how I’d create a piece in oils. I started off with sketches, then I did a watercolour and ink painting before moving to digital. I mixed the colours on the canvas (see the process video below) before applying them to achieve variations of the hues. The colour and textures were built up in layers, some transparent, others more opaque.

Mimi | watercolour painting

I try to emulate traditional methods when painting digitally, for example, using grainy pencil brushes to create hand-drawn elements and the use of broken colour, a kind of impressionist style I love. That’s achieved by using dry, textured brushes so that the hues underneath shine through. I think of it like scumbling in oils, a technique I have used traditionally for years.

In her true form, Mimi is a strawberry blonde. However, I cranked up the heat as I did with all the colours in the palette to make the painting really pop. Orange and blue work really well together because they are opposites on the colour wheel. When you use opposites, each colour stands out against the other. Conversely, when you mix opposite colours together, they become neutral, cancelling each other out. That’s not relevant here, but an art tip for creating neutral greys.

Art Bite: To make your paintings really pop, use opposite colours on the colour wheel. Each colour will stand out against its opposite.

The glitter on the hat and the sparkles in the background finished off the piece, adding a bit of a theatrical vibe, reminiscent of Mimi’s personality.

Capturing Expression and Personality

When painting a portrait, capturing expression and personality is paramount. It brings the piece to life and helps create a narrative.

In real life, Mimi has a captivating character. She is funny, creative and determined. Because she’s a child, she still possesses those qualities most of us desire; wonder, playfulness and authenticity. Expressing those qualities in a painting is a major component of its success. Mastering colour and composition we can learn and it only takes, a million or so, hours of practice. However, portraying personality takes a bit of research.

Here are a Few Tips

If it’s a commissioned portrait, we need to ask questions, for example, how would you describe his or her personality? I’ve put a link at the end of the article with descriptive words, but here are a few examples.

Is he or she:

Quiet and introverted or the star of the show?
Very feminine or more a tomboy?
Fiery and heroic or more of a bookworm?
Laid-back or energetic?
Gentle or mischievous?
What are their hobbies and interests?

Because Mimi is energetic and vibrant, I chose a colour palette to reflect that. Using props can be another way to portray personality. The sparkly hat gives this piece a playful touch, another one of Mimi’s traits. The expression on her face, with her tongue out, adds attitude - carefree with a touch of cheekiness. It’s really important to consider all these elements when it’s a commission and check with the client.

It is also a good idea to ask how they want to be portrayed. She may be quiet and reserved but would like to be expressed as confident or heroic. You may be thinking of a calm and gentle personality, pastel hues and flowers 🤔, when in fact, she wants to be portrayed as a superhero. All of these features also add to the narrative.

Why is Narrative Important?

I’m inspired by artists from history such as Toulouse Lautrec, Frida Kahlo and Francis Campbell Cadell to name a few. I greatly admire the narrative element, a prominent feature in their art. Their paintings ignite stories in our imagination from first viewing, a concept I try to embrace and convey in my own work.

As humans, we love stories, we are hardwired to respond to narratives. Stories trigger our emotions, and imagination and save ideas to memory. They can even shape our beliefs and behaviours. When we see a story in a piece of art, we interpret it based on our own experiences, uncovering personal meaning. This is a good thing! Each such experience offers a little nudge forward on life’s journey. Anything that sparks our imagination is a little deposit in our self-discovery piggy bank.

The narrative behind Fifi Trixabelle is one of wonderment and the innocence of childhood. The lack of self-consciousness and embracing life as it is, are all key elements in the story. The painting can remind us of those latent qualities within ourselves, perhaps hidden but still there. I believe that owning our true self and our story can help to set us free. And that's a massive deposit in the piggy back.

Conclusion

To wrap up, we went from, 'I don't really like portraits' to OMG! how am I going to pull this off to crafting one of my prized pics. Oh, and Daisy Jo loved it - TG!

I hope you found this article enjoyable and engaging. If there’s anything you’d like to ask me about my process, narratives or anything else, please leave a comment below or reach out to me by following this link.

Wishing you a wonderful weekend.

Janee x

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Resources

Helpful Adjectives

Saturday 16 September 2023

The Inspiration Myth: How to be a Creative Conqueror

Have you ever found yourself waiting for that elusive moment of inspiration when a brilliant idea will strike like lightning? You may ask or even beg your muse, which possesses the power to awaken even the sleepiest of senses and set your creative soul on fire, to please pay a visit. Or, you quietly hope she'll just show up unannounced, infusing you with a surge of optimism and enthusiasm. Hmmm, you are not alone, and it can happen, but it's somewhat romantic.

Sure, there are those rare instances when inspiration does strike like a bolt of lightning, but these awe-inspiring moments of creative genius can be a bit like finding a unicorn.

The truth is, inspiration comes from doing. If we want to be prolific artists, we have to make lots of art, whether our creative bird is in residence or not. Most of the time, she'll flutter in once we start spreading those creative wings. Of course, there will be days when the muse has taken an extended vacation, and that's okay. It might be a sign to take a break, explore different avenues, or indulge in a Netflix binge. As we grow as artists, we learn to understand and listen to our own creative spirit and respect that the ebbs and flows are a necessary part of the process.

Ask any seasoned artist, and they'll tell you that the act of creating is what generates ideas and inspiration. It's putting pen to paper, brush to canvas, or fingers to keyboard that opens the channel to creative flow.

However, rest is also important. According to Writer and artist Tim Kreider, 'idleness is necessary for productivity. Taking a break and doing nothing gives our brains a chance to sift through data, make connections, and creatively problem-solve using our unconscious mind.'

Neuroscientist, Andrew Huberman posted, well everywhere, 'Neuroplasticity, your brain’s ability to change & learn, is a two-part process:

Learning is triggered by focused attention, especially to novel, emotionally laden or otherwise meaningful events.
Actual brain rewiring occurs during sleep, and other forms of deep rest.'

I'm not sure if Netflix counts as deep rest, but I think I will go with it. To get back to art and us creatives - inspiration is a byproduct of action and rest. Every painting can't be a masterpiece, some you'll be super proud of, others, you'll want to disown. Loads of my work ended up in the trash, some I even burned (I'm not advocating torching your work). Yet with persistence (and rest 😉) we hone our craft and learn to navigate the ups and downs of inspiration and lack of.

Having said all that, we can nudge our inspiration along. Below are some of the places I find inspiration. I hope they will help you towards your own ideas. Making a list can be really helpful.

Inspirational Ideas

Nature: Flowers, leaves, and gnarly tree bark catch my eye and I take photos for reference
Movies: Especially those with psychological depth or moral dilemmas
Comedy: We all need a good laugh. Comedy inspires me to add humour and joy to my work
Humans: I'm fascinated by how we think and feel. I read a lot of psychology articles
The Media: What’s going on in the world, socio-political issues and injustices that can fuel and infuriate
Women: Inspiring women, activists, artists
Stories: Fact, fiction fantasy
History: The tales of triumph and struggle
Technology: The world of tech and AI both fascinates and terrifies

Where The Wild Things Grow

The inspiration for the painting above came from my ongoing research into the psychology of self-worth and the symbolism found in nature. The message is to dream big, even if we're feeling small and the flowers represent feminity, growth and transformation.

Thanks for reading until the end. If this post has sparked your inspiration, please consider leaving a comment or sharing the love by clicking on one of the social buttons below.

Have an incredible weekend, filled with inspiration, or have an inspirational weekend, filled with the incredible.

Janee x

Resources

The Scientific Case for Downtime

Neuroplasticity - Andrew Huberman

Friday 8 September 2023

10 Mavericks Who Rock the Art World

From left to right: Kehinde Wiley, Randerson Romualdo Cordeiro 2008 | Jean-Michel Basquiat, Untitled 1982 |Shirin Neshat, Women of Allah, 1993-7

Hey there, creative cousins, Happy Friday! As the weekend approaches 😁 what better way to kick it off than with a sneak peek into the worlds of ten extraordinary artists? These pioneers go far beyond the conventional role of creators; they're visionaries, provocateurs, and renegades who fearlessly challenge society's mainstream definition of what art should be. So, let's embark on this artistic journey together and get ready to be inspired. Let's take a look and get inspired.

10 Influential Artists Defying Conventions

Jean-Michel Basquiat: With graffiti-inspired art, Basquiat critiqued power structures, race, and consumerism, leaving an indelible mark on contemporary culture.

Art Bite - Jean Michel-Basquiat’s Untitled (1982) had a pre-sale estimate in excess of $60 million, and was sold by Sotheby’s in 2017 for $110.5 million 😮

Yayoi Kusama: The infinity rooms and polka dots of Kusama mesmerise, offering a lens into the realms of mental health, obsession, and the infinite.

Ai Weiwei: Through art and activism, Weiwei challenges authority and censorship, becoming a global symbol of resistance.

Frida Kahlo: In her vivid self-portraits, Kahlo delved into pain and identity, boldly challenging societal norms of beauty and gender.

Kara Walker: Her silhouette art dismantles racial stereotypes and prompts critical dialogues on race.

Banksy: The enigmatic street artist critiques capitalism and social injustice, his works hidden in plain sight.

Jenny Holzer: Holzer's texts in public spaces provoke contemplation on feminism, consumerism, and violence.

Marina Abramović: Through performance art, Abramović pushes the limits of the human body and psyche, questioning what it means to be human.

Kehinde Wiley: His reinterpretation of European portraiture with African-American subjects challenges historical representations.

Shirin Neshat: Neshat's art explores gender, identity, and politics in the Middle East, offering a nuanced perspective.

In their defiance of convention, these artists remind us that art is not just about aesthetics but a powerful medium that reflects our shared human experiences. It invites us to question, reflect upon, and reimagine the world around us through the captivating art of storytelling.

Join the Conversation

I'm eager to hear about your experiences and thoughts on these remarkable artists who challenge the status quo. Which artist's work resonates with you the most, and why? Have you been inspired to explore new perspectives on art and creativity? Your insights and comments are invaluable, so please share them below.

Have a wonderful weekend. Artfully Yours

Janee x

For more art, follow me on Instagram and Facebook.

Friday 25 August 2023

Threads of Consequence: Faith, Hope and Plastic

From left to right: George Frederic Watts, Hope 1886 | Threads of Consequence, Jane E Porter 2023

Exploring Art's Impact on Environmental Awareness

In today's world, where art and environmental concerns intersect, a single stroke of inspiration can unravel a cacophony of meaningful reflections.

Art is more than just a visual spectacle; it is a dynamic conversation between artist and observer, where ideas and emotions take shape. While aesthetics and beauty may steal the spotlight, art's ability to ignite meaningful conversations about societal and environmental challenges is an essential aspect of its impact.

Hope: A Symbolic Masterpiece

One such timeless masterpiece that continues to spark dialogue is George Frederic Watts enigmatic painting, 'Hope.' Painted in 1886, this symbolist painting invites viewers to delve into the realms of interpretation, and its resonance has endured for over a century. It stands as a testament to art's power to not only captivate the eye but also to inspire thought, foster connection, and shed light on the complexities of the human experience.

Watts chose to let the viewer interpret his paintings, a choice that can be both rewarding and frustrating for the audience. I often adopt a similar approach in my work, leaving interpretations somewhat open. This not only creates intrigue but allows the audience to find meaning or ideas that I have yet to discover.

Interpreting 'Hope': Insights from Art Critics

In this post, I'd like to explore some interpretations of 'Hope' made by art critics. I'll also draw parallels to contemporary art's role in addressing urgent issues, as exemplified by my own artwork, 'Threads of Consequence.' These parallels highlight the enduring power of art to reflect and shape our understanding of the world.

Hope and Its Enduring Resonance

This painting is often considered a timeless and universal image of hope's endurance. It became widely popular and was reproduced in various forms, making it one of the most recognized and enduring allegorical paintings of the 19th century.

The painting depicts a female figure sitting atop a globe, blindfolded and playing a lyre that has only a single string remaining. She appears to be deep in thought and concentration despite her lack of sight. The background is dark and sombre, possibly representing a sense of uncertainty or despair.

Exploring Symbolism in 'Hope'

The painting is renowned for its powerful symbolism and art critics have offered various interpretations over the years. Below are some critiques of the painting's meaning:

Symbol of Resilience: Some critics view the painting as a symbol of resilience and the human spirit's indomitable will to survive. Despite the broken strings, the woman continues to play, suggesting that hope persists even in the direst circumstances.
Commentary on Victorian Society: Others see the painting as a commentary on the social conditions of the Victorian era. The blindfolded figure represents the masses, blind to their plight, with the broken lyre symbolizing the broken promises of the era. The single unbroken string represents the slim hope that things could improve.

Fragility of Hope: The fragile lyre with a single string could also symbolize the delicate nature of hope itself. Watts might be conveying the idea that hope can be easily diminished or lost.

Personal Struggles: Some critics suggest that the painting reflects Watts's personal struggles. The blindfolded figure and the broken lyre symbolise his own feelings of despair and his struggle to find hope. Professionally, Watts's commitment to symbolic and allegorical subjects was often at odds with the tastes of the Victorian art establishment, which favoured more literal and narrative-based works. Despite his eventual success, he often felt misunderstood by critics and the public.

Overall, 'Hope' by George Frederic Watts is a poignant representation of the power of hope in the face of adversity. Its emotive imagery and symbolic elements have made it an enduring piece of art that continues to inspire and resonate with viewers worldwide.

I've always been drawn to the painting but, never have I considered it an emblem of hope. I can't help but wonder if Watts named the piece 'Hope' to make it more appealing to his Victorian audience. If it had been titled 'Despair', it may not have received the recognition it did.

From 'Hope' to 'Threads of Consequence'

Reflecting on Watts' 'Hope' and its various interpretations, I'd now like to introduce you to my own recent artwork, 'Threads of Consequence'. Much like 'Hope', 'Threads of Consequence' is allegorical and uses symbolism to heighten the impact and strengthen the narrative. It's a stark depiction of the environmental impact of the fashion industry, with each thread representing a different aspect of this complex issue. Unlike 'Hope', it tells a grim story about what's going on under our noses and in our closets. Let's take a deeper look into its metaphors and meaning.

Crafting 'Threads of Consequence'

I kicked off the creation of 'Threads of Consequence' with a study of a striking, black model, wearing a headscarf. Visually, she reminded me of Billie Holiday, who featured in an early series of mine, titled, 'The Tortured Soul Creates Art'. This series explored creative souls who had fallen prey to the tragedy of addiction. But let's get back to the portrait. My initial goal was to achieve a realistic representation and a charcoal effect using digital painting, which I believe I accomplished. Sure, using actual charcoal might have been easier, but the digital medium allowed me to save the completed piece as a new file and experiment with it. Ah, the joys of digital painting!

Navigating Artistic Challenges and Weaving the Narrative

The second version was an exercise in hatching, a technique I've never been particularly fond of. Armed with a 'get on with it, you'll learn something' attitude, I set to work. Initially, it was quite relaxing, therapeutic even, but my enthusiasm began to wane. In an attempt to rekindle my motivation, I found myself researching the drawings of Leonardo da Vinci and Rafael, hoping their mastery would inspire me to continue. It didn't, but I did manage to pass an hour or so and clock up my procrastination time. I then decided to leave it until the next day because tomorrow is the prime day for creativity and productivity.

The following day, I approached the piece with a fresh perspective. The research that had gone into 'Solitude', the Billie Holiday painting, had fascinated me as I was focusing on a narrative as well as an aesthetic. I found myself looking again at the image of the beautiful woman, who resembled a fashion model, and pondered how to make the piece more engaging. Beauty alone wasn't inspiring enough for me, so I asked myself, what story could I tell?

Environmental Awakening: Unveiling the Message

I toyed with the idea of having a pop at the fashion industry, particularly the sweatshop angle. However, I couldn't find decent data linking luxury brands to child labour, and she didn't strike me as an 'H&M' kind of girl. I considered an anti-war message, but her image didn't fit the profile. The pull towards the fashion industry was strong, so I knew I needed to find another angle and save the child labour conversation for another piece.

That's when I began researching environmental concerns around fashion, and then it hit me - pollution! Specifically, plastic pollution. A couple of years ago, I illustrated a children's book, 'The Green Fairy and the Lost Dog', which centred around single-use plastic. The author, Daisy-Jo Bear, is a dear friend of mine, but if the book had been about a prince on a white horse, I would have politely declined the offer, no matter how much I adore her. In preparation for the book, I'd read a lot about plastic pollution, so it was great to draw on that knowledge. It's good to recycle or upcycle your art and knowledge, as well as your plastic 😉.

Crafting the Message Through Aesthetics

'Threads of Consequence' is a powerful commentary on the fashion industry and its role in plastic pollution. The portrait features a black woman, her gaze directed upwards and away from the camera, expressing a sense of indignation and disbelief. Her camouflage headscarf symbolises the ongoing conflict we face with our environmental impact and the industry that perpetuates it.

The monochromatic palette, punctuated by the red in her eyes, serves as a stark reminder of the toxicity and harm caused by plastic waste. This red, reminiscent of blood, underscores the potential harm to our health and the severity of the environmental damage we're confronting.

I opted for a street art aesthetic to infuse the piece with a raw urban edge with a socio-political message. The skull and crossbones serve as a grim warning about the repercussions of our actions on the environment. In 'Threads of Consequence', the worlds of beauty and fashion intersect with environmental activism, creating a compelling call to action against plastic pollution.

Understanding Plastic Pollution

The Growing Threat of Microplastics

Plastic pollution has rapidly become a pervasive and pressing global issue with far-reaching implications. The unchecked production and disposal of plastic products have led to an alarming accumulation of plastic waste in our environment. From oceans and waterways to landfills, and even permeating the air we breathe, the ubiquity of plastic waste poses a significant threat to ecosystems and human health.

Microplastics are minuscule fragments of plastic debris present in the environment, resulting from the disposal and degradation of consumer products and industrial waste. Among environmental concerns, microplastics, especially those originating from the fashion industry, hold a substantial place.

The Silent Threat: Microplastics in Our Bodies

UK scientists discovered microplastics in the digestive systems of fish and shellfish, raising concerns about the safety of seafood consumption. Further studies were conducted to determine whether the greater threat came from consuming mussels or breathing air in a typical home. The conclusion was that people ingest more plastics from inhaling fibres shed by clothes and carpets than from consuming shellfish.

In 2022, scientists from the Netherlands and the UK found tiny particles of plastic deep within the lungs of surgical patients and in the blood of anonymous donors. This discovery shifted the focus towards the vast amount of airborne microplastics we are exposed to daily. These particles are so small that they can penetrate the human body and embed themselves deep within our cells.

Fashion's Role in Plastic Pollution

The Fast Fashion Connection

Image by Piyapong Saydaung

Fast Fashion refers to inexpensive clothing produced rapidly by mass-market retailers in response to the latest trends. A significant portion of today's fast fashion is made from cheap, synthetic, non-biodegradable plastic materials such as polyester, nylon, or acrylic. These materials shed microscopic fibres that become airborne and, when washed, release microplastics into our water supply, which eventually flow into our rivers and oceans.

The Accumulation of Waste: Fast Fashion's Impact

Research estimates suggest that over 14 million tonnes of microplastics have accumulated on the world’s ocean floor according to research estimates and the amounts are increasing every year. Fast fashion accounts for particularly high levels of such releases - over a third (35%) of all microplastics released into the world's oceans are from synthetic textiles. It is estimated that by 2050 we will have more plastic than fish in the ocean.

This alarming contribution perpetuates the microplastics crisis and underlines the crucial intersection between fast fashion and plastic pollution.

Confronting Uncertainty: Health Implications

The UK lung study identified particles made of plastics that are known to be toxic to humans, causing lung irritation, dizziness, headaches, asthma and cancer.

Albert A. Rizzo, recognized for his national contributions to the prevention and control of lung disease and serving as the Chief Medical Officer for the American Lung Association, states 'The science is too unclear to draw conclusions….. The most relevant analogy may be the decades-long effort to convince the government that smoking causes cancer. By the time we got enough evidence to lead to policy change, the cat was out of the bag. I can see plastics being the same thing. Will we find out in 40 years that microplastics in the lungs lead to premature ageing of the lungs or to emphysema? We don’t know that. In the meantime, can we make plastics safer?' Reference

A Creative Journey: From Art to Advocacy

As I sit here, wrapped in my fleece (which, ironically, is probably shedding microplastics as we speak), I can't help but wonder: how did a simple task of creating a digital charcoal portrait lead me down this rabbit hole of plastic pollution? It's as if I set out to doodle a tree and ended up mapping the entire forest!

Embracing Change: A Call to Action

This topic's expanse is staggering, and I have only scratched the surface. If you'd like to learn more, I have listed a number of links below. They include my references and suggested steps we can take regarding our clothing-related impact on the environment. I have a lot more to learn and aim to make more conscientious consumer choices.

Join the Conversation

I'm eager to hear about your experiences and thoughts on this issue. Have you ever paused to consider the environmental footprint of your wardrobe? I'd love to hear your insights and comments. Your input would mean the world to me.

Have a wonderful weekend.

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