Judgment is nowhere near a new phenomenon, but it’s never been so accessible at such volumes. Anyone with an Instagram or whatever else can (and often will) respond to even the most banal media with their divisive, unfiltered opinions. With that, a new type of purity culture has developed in which people closely monitor the behavior of strangers online, and those on the receiving end sand down their beliefs and personalities until they appear as agreeable and high-functioning as possible.
I love tanning beds. What a horrible, stupid invention, the tanning bed, that does nothing but egregiously harm your health for a minimal, vain reward. But I’m young and short-sighted, still not completely aware that I’m going to die; and I love to be tan. This painting protests the veneer of a perfectly wholesome existence and, instead, admits to and praises my indulgences.
By designing a messy assemblage of fleeting thoughts, notes, and paint swatches, I am creating a tonal duplicate to the painting above it, perhaps more of a self portrait than the representational half.
truer self portrait
close up
plan for the tan
