I found this picture in a magazine a long time ago and loved the pose. Its been sitting in "things to get done" pile forever. I don't remember the magazine but I do have a scan of the original photo if anyone wants to see it.

I did a LOT of overpainting on this as I'm sure you can tell. I still need to work on her face a bit, especially her eyes, but for the most part, I'm calling her finished.

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The Diva Series:

These paintings are about people who live life in the spot light... or public eye. They become so obsessed making themselves into what the public wants them to be that they lose who they really are, and become soul-less. They just sortof wander like the dead, smiling, from one show to the next. Exhausted, empty and wondering why they ever wished for fame in the first place. To live one moment of a "normal life" is out of reach... and life is just a show.

Layers and layers and LAYERS of paint. I used a reference photo, but changed the models face, especially her eyes and lips to change her expression and capture what I wanted. I also changed her hair and of course added my signature piece. I also altered the "curves" in photoshop after it was completed to give it the shimmery effect.

The mysterious cross... I keep getting questions about it... as The Diva's continue, it is my hope that you will understand its meaning - and no, it is not religious. It IS symbolic however. At the end of the series I will tell you what it means. In the meantime though... feel free to guess... Changed my mind... I'll give you more on the meaning of the cross, but still feel free to add your own interpretation, since there IS more to it than only this:

The meaning of the cross:

They have two meanings:

1. Since these Diva's are so lost they cling to this symbol for some sort of strength, although they have forgotten what it really is - it isn't religious, its just symbolic of a false sense of security. That everything will be OK.

2. They are idolized and WORSHIPPED by the masses... so the symbol is sortof a double meaning, again not religious, that they have become what is worshipped, and there is nothing inside them at all - people are worshiping and idolizing something that is hollow and empty = which means that people will always believe what they want to believe in the end, each of us has our own reality and vision of truth.

and there you have it....


PSCS2P
Wacom Tablet
6 hours
photo reference used
Very special THANK YOU to who identified the model and knew the photographer as well - as I said the photo reference came from a magazine tear from a long time ago, and I've been searching for the proper credits for a LONG time.
Model: Karen Elson Photographer: Steven Meisel