"Opposites Attract" at Crazy Aunt Helen's

“Opposites Attract” juxtaposes the stereotypical posturing associated with (or expected?) of men against delicate florals derived from vintage wallpaper designs. The tattoos of these models are not depicted so that the floral designs can wash over their bodies and fill the frames of the canvases with contradictory messages about who they may be.

When most people see these portraits for the first time, they ask: “Who are these guys? Do you know them?” The majority of them are friends of mine who have never been photographed as models or “immortalized” in a painting. Despite the novelty of the experience, they share their ideas, collaborate intuitively, and are always curious to see the final paintings. As a photographer, I love to see how their features and subtle expressions intensify under harsh studio lighting. After selecting a photo to work with, I begin to imagine color combinations and designs that I think will enhance the painting and augment the story I want to create. The best designs fill the space of the canvas while embellishing the subject in a way that is reminiscent of tattoos.