MODIFIED FLOWERS STATEMENT:

My most recent series of paintings, Modified Flowers, were produced based on photos and technical illustrations of flowers, research of the healing properties of flowering plants, and images and research of female body modification.  The flowers represented in the paintings were chosen because of their medicinal properties relating to the female reproductive system.  I spent many hours reading about flowers and their healing properties before picking up a paintbrush. 

The female reproductive system can be modified, changed, improved, enhanced and removed in many different ways.  The reproductive system can also be healed in many different ways.  As I was researching the healing properties of flowers, I came across an astounding number of flowering plants that are used to treat various female conditions, everything from contraception to abortion to infertility.  This thought of going back to nature has inspired my latest work and contrasts perfectly with the idea of modifying the female body with man-made materials. 

The floral images are modified in various ways to symbolize women's choices and responsibilities regarding their own bodies.

The Modified Flowers series consists of acrylic paintings on texturized wood and canvas.  The bold shapes, vibrant colors, and strong, clean lines of the work contrast with the delicate floral images. 

Some of the things that inspire my work are somewhat controversial:  body modification, hormones in food, female genital plastic surgery and mutilation.

A reoccurring image in my work is a flower bud that is being stretched and forced open.  The idea behind this is to show the way a young girl may mature before her time.  I think about situations young girls may go through and my thoughts inspire this imagery:
Hormones in food (premature puberty), pre-teen sex, sexual abuse, parental divorce and death.

Also, in some cultures, young girls are forced to endure painful removal of portions of their genital area.  Sometimes sewing even takes place to prevent sexual activity among young females.

I guess I feel fortunate to have control over my own body and the ability to make choices.  That is the main idea I want to express through my new series of work. 

In many instances in the art world, the flower has represented woman.  Many artists, photographers, and even historical anatomy artists have related the female body to flowers.  It is an identifiable and familiar image that we see pretty much everyday.  To me, the delicate lines of a flower are very inspirational and can be stylized in such a way to make them appear strong.