These paintings were directly inspired by the women who influence my life. Specifically, I drew inspiration from an antique broach my Aunt Janet gave to me. The pin is a Victorian era piece of jewelry depicting a black-skinned hand holding a bejeweled bouquet of flowers. My affinity towards this gift allowed me to play with the contrast of traditional subject matter and non-traditional ethnic representation. The paintings were also influenced by my mother-in-law and her family’s history in fiber arts. The technical terms from the fabrics industry are used in some of the titles to describe these perky and plucky designs.
In this series, the viewer is the recipient of my gifts, rather than the traditional female recipient that is the object of her beau’s affection. I created each painting just as I have in the past with the intention of placement as a key idea. Rather than the placement within the context of many kokeshi I have taken on the Victorian idea of using flowers as a symbol to express specific feelings and meaning. I choose to deliver a sugary sweet message through the flowers and fruit placed in the bouquets and baskets.
In these paintings on paper I continue to use not only acrylic and watercolor but also house paint. Also, I continue to play with the kokeshi doll symbol, but this time displaying my dolls within the new context of flowers, fruits, baskets and bouquets as well as morphing their plump faces into berries, flower buds and blossoms.