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Here is where the theme really takes shape and the look of the piece begins to change! I started out with a basic concept, that of the Triple Goddess, the 3 stages of Woman, in classical style poses.
Moving forward with a circus theme, you see the Maiden as a sweet Ballerina, perhaps dressed as she would riding barebacked around the ring--the white roses and dove are still present but some darker aspects begin to appear. Her eyes are smudged with blue shadow, her narrow waist is constricted even further with a tight corset, her legs are in fishnet stockings, her feet are now tiny, bound into a pair of pink ballet shoes, her arms covered with long gloves--these clothing changes indicate a restriction on her natural innocence and purity, an exaggeration, pruriently Victorian and yet still a Virgin.
The Mother has taken on the aspect of a burlesque dancer, in thigh-high boots, pasties, feathers and lurid make-up. Her sexuality is enhanced and made gaudy, even as she sports her pregnant belly and full breasts.
The Crone shows up as the old gypsy lady, the fortune teller, cackling behind her shawl, dressed in mult-colored, mismatched garments and wearing those witchy boots with turned-up toes.
The second group shows a similar look, but calmed down a little, not as garish or provocative...trying to find a middle ground
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Once I have a basic shape of the figure in my head, I will generally hold the details of how to complete it in there as well. I do, however, like to draw out some things to remind me of where I am going with a piece. At this point, the figures are presented as three characters that would commonly be found in the old-style Circus--The sweet Bare-Back Rider, the Exotic Dancer, and the Fortune-teller.
The Maiden is quickly sketched in, but going back to the earlier soft face and hair style. The corset and gloves will remain.
The Mother is not quite so wildy burlesque, and ends up as a sensuous sort of figure formerly known as a "hootchy-coochy" dancer. These were the women in the tent that little boys could not get into--the ladies dressed in Egyptian drag, lots of jingling coin bras, colorful veils, loads of cheap, foreign-looking jewelry and kohl around their eyes. This Mother also has a design in henna on her pregnant tummy to present it as a symbol of pride in her fertility. Her shoes are 6-inch heels and 4-inch stacks, and she holds an open, red pomegranate--her pose is provocative but not vulgar.
The Crone has graduated up from patched Gyspy Fortuneteller, to more of a blind, Greek prophetess, cane in one hand and crystal sphere in the other. Her gown still retains something of the classical style. (I always loved the old movie, "The Circus of Dr. Lao", which includes an old, blind, Greek seer--this is the inspiration for this form of the Crone.)
Each figure stands on an eight-sided tile, connected to the others with a brick path--they are separate faces of the same Woman.
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NOTE: AS of July 7th, this is as far as I have gotten on this project. Tomorrow I will begin to draw in the figures on the actual canvas, and begin to develop a color scheme as well. From there I will document the progress 2 pictures at a time, so keep checking back!
STAY TUNED FOR FURTHER DETAILS. THE LINK BELOW WILL TAKE YOU TO THE NEXT STEP--
I WILL FILL IN THE INFORMATION AND PHOTOS AS THEY OCCUR.
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Thanks for joining me on the journey!
On to PAGE 4 of "A Work in Progress"
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