Highly influenced by commercial art, vintage posters, and genre design, I often use typography and layout to tell a story. The phrase “Popster” has been coined to describe my pop art, poster style portraits. My current series of works explore the theme of sideshow performers. My aim is to portray a sitter’s personality by painting them in the role of the sideshow performer. While the character is fictional, I aim to mirror elements of their own personality, representing a kind of truth about the subject.
In this self portrait, the circus 'Balancing Act' personifies my life. Each precariously placed item, perched on top of another, is an allegory for some important aspect in my life. As a woman who is continually balancing motherhood, career, artistic practice, household duties, travel, relationships, finances, time and distraction, nothing is ever steady. My attention can only be focused on one thing at one time, and I am always shifting the balance to hold it all together.
It portrays my life as a busy full time working mother attempting to balance all the important things in life including children, family, work, life, relationships, money, career, peace, time, education, entertainment, health, and creativity.... it is a constant struggle and your eyes can only focus on some of these at one time, constantly shifty focus. It is a familiar struggle from many people, especially parents.
The artwork is framed by a 5cm wide decorative wood frame painted white.