10x8" - Acrylic, Oil Pastel, Pencil, Thread, Silk (Vera) - 2009
I painted this one about 9 months after moving to Minneapolis from Atlanta, and I was in the midst of a heavy culture shock. This piece represents what I was observing at that time: the Midwest, a flat land of agriculture with limited diversity, terrible and overly dramatic weather, and unimaginative local pseudo-celebrities. Fun fact: the silk used in this piece is from a Vera silk shirt that I purchased at a trade show on the state fair grounds. My boyfriend at the time convinced me to buy the shirt, which was made of delicate vintage silk, and was too small for my arms. I nervously wore the shirt to a party and I ripped the sleeves with my arm muscles and was so embarrassed!