Little Women

Being aware of myself as a female artist, I feel it is important to address problems and issues unique to women, while, at the same time, retaining the integrity of the female figure or attitude. This came to the forefront when, after a routine mammogram, my mother was diagnosed with breast cancer. Presently, after courageously battling cancer twice before, she is in the midst of winning again. My grandmother, on the other hand, has recently lost her battle. Both of these strong women have become my muses.  Currently, my pieces deal with the particular female forms of breast, ovarian and uterine cancers. My work consists of small mixed media acrylic paintings, digital prints and pastels of famous women who have survived and succumbed to their cancer diagnosis. Traditional motifs of the Polish folk art, wycinanki (paper cutting), are used in conjunction with the bright flat colors and the bold lines of pop artists, combining an older European form of art with one that is distinctly American. Also, complimenting the hard edges of my painting style, are the rough metal elements that sharply contrast the delicate paper and ribbon motifs. The various aspects of such a serious illness are highlighted; from the tough and beautiful, to the tender and, at times, even humorous elements.  The digital prints represent women who, though did not have cancer, are considered classically glamorous. By emphasizing the attribute of hair in various ways, it toys with the idea of beauty, in relation to the female form. Cancer survivors, whether classically glamorous or not, to me are beautiful.