Cheater. Stitched word: Unfaithful.
Xylene photo transfer on tea-stain muslin. Hand beaded and stitched. 25" x
19" unframed; 31" x 25" framed. Click on image to enlarge.
Some pieces in the Decision Portrait Series have long, involved, complex stories that unfold in these written words that accompany them. This isn't one of those pieces.
Most pieces in the Decision Portrait Series are straightforward depictions of a decision made by the person in the artwork...a real likeness of a real individual, generally named, honestly stating his or her decision as fact. This isn't one of those pieces.
Several pieces in the Decision Portrait Series deal with bittersweet options.... a person faced with more than one choice, neither particularly great choices, and the decision made under these circumstances. This isn't one of those pieces either.
Some pieces in the Decision Portrait Series have long, involved, complex stories that unfold in these written words that accompany them. This isn't one of those pieces.
Most pieces in the Decision Portrait Series are straightforward depictions of a decision made by the person in the artwork...a real likeness of a real individual, generally named, honestly stating his or her decision as fact. This isn't one of those pieces.
Several pieces in the Decision Portrait Series deal with bittersweet options.... a person faced with more than one choice, neither particularly great choices, and the decision made under these circumstances. This isn't one of those pieces either.
This is a deeply personal, highly secretive, honestly shared
decision. I am in total awe of the brave individual who volunteered to share it
with me and allowed me to stitch the work of art. It was truly my honor to
stitch this portrait.
Several months ago, I would not have known that I would hold in such very high esteem a person who had engaged in an extra martial affair. See.... I’ve been married over thirty years to the one and only love of my life. Coming from my background, people who "cheat" are "bad". I learned that this isn't the case...far from it! Life is full of twists and turns. I shouldn't judge. I didn't judge here...I learned!
It took bravery to admit the affair. It took courage to write to me. It took an act of nearly unbelievable faith to trust me to stitch this portrait with love, compassion, and a non-judgmental mind. The "model" and I have never met. Ours is a totally Internet relationship. She trusted me with her history.
Several months ago, I would not have known that I would hold in such very high esteem a person who had engaged in an extra martial affair. See.... I’ve been married over thirty years to the one and only love of my life. Coming from my background, people who "cheat" are "bad". I learned that this isn't the case...far from it! Life is full of twists and turns. I shouldn't judge. I didn't judge here...I learned!
It took bravery to admit the affair. It took courage to write to me. It took an act of nearly unbelievable faith to trust me to stitch this portrait with love, compassion, and a non-judgmental mind. The "model" and I have never met. Ours is a totally Internet relationship. She trusted me with her history.
We corresponded about the image. She suggested the wedding
gown and bridal veil. It is PERFECT. It symbolically brings the vows she took
into focus. She approved the single stitched word: Unfaithful. The
wedding attire and single word drive the decision home. It is obvious....
though she is mysteriously veiled.... alluring.... a temptress.... a goddess of
desire. The work will confront exhibition viewers with several questions: Have
I ever thought about or been unfaithful? How would I react if my partner was unfaithful?
How would I react to someone I know admitting such an indiscretion? These are
exactly the questions I hoped such a portrait would generate. I am so totally
grateful and most appreciative to someone brave enough to let me make this
statement by using her image in this stitched series. THANK YOU!
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