Like a lot of my ideas, this series started off as a bit of silly word play. I was invited to set up an art event at a boutique called Ladybug Ladybug. I wanted to create something new for the occasion, so I set to thinking... Lady. Bug. Ladies. Bugs. Ladies as bugs. Eureka!
Vintage camp seemed the way to go with an idea like this, so I turned to 50's pinups for inspiration.
Then I started connecting the bugs I wanted to do (ladybug, bee, butterfly) to pop icons that seemed to match their characteristics. I wasn't setting out to do a caricature of each, but more to capture their spirit: sweet and shy Ladybug reminded me of Amelie.
Happy-go-lucky Bumble Bee was feminine thanks to a curvy butt and legs, so I thought of Betty Grable.
Butterfly needed to be the most glamorous of the bunch, so I drew inspiration from Marilyn Monroe.
For the most part, these ladies were more of a jumping-off point than a literal model, except for maybe Marilyn, who is just so darn perfect.
I sketched each one...
Painted a quick color study...
Blocked the shapes in with acrylics...
and finished each one off with a few select details.
I kept the paintings simple and graphic, and left the backgrounds white in the tradition of vintage pinup artists like George Petty.
People really seem to like this series, and I had a lot of fun doing it. In the future, I plan to try my hand at Billie Holliday as a blue butterfly, Audrey Hepburn as a black ant, and Mata Hari as a moth. Who knew bugs could turn out so cute?
If you'd like a LadyBug of your very own, check out my Etsy shop. I've also cropped each one for use as Facebook cover photos. Feel free to download them from my Facebook page.
Wednesday, June 13, 2012
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6 comments:
I love seeing your process.
I love seeing your process.
I love seeing your process.
Super art work!
These are beautiful!
These are totally adorable. I love the play on words too ^_^
Btw, so cool to meet you at CTN! I was blown away by awesomeness...you are so crazy talented!
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