The Other...

Kitty   watercolor   10 x 13.75

As a child, I wasn't certain whether to be scared or thrilled at Halloween. But the prospect of becoming something else was just too exciting. In painting class, we, too, become the "Other". We come to class prepared with a mask, draw names, and sit across from our chosen partners. The object to paint a portrait that isn't so intimidating....just the learn the facial planes....and have some fun without the pressures of correctness and likeness. Of course, there always other lessons involved: painting hair as a mass; things that are in front of other things; and always the illusion of the third dimension. Spooky. Fun.

My partner Kitty Waybright had created a homemade "kitty" mask. My task, as I saw it, was to keep the mask in front and on the surface. Pushing the reality of Kitty a bit back. To keep it a bit ghoulish, I altered the color palette and pushed a bit towards a yellowish-green, a color that isn't so natural. I like it. I like the fact that this is an adult woman in a cat mask. I also like the colors. Thank you Kitty. Meow.