Trans Man (10" x 10"), Mixed Media & Distressed Paint
I've been working on three other artworks at the same time, so it will be a week or so before I get back to finish this mixed media distressed painting. But, there are just 3 steps including signing and then “Trans Man” will be done. I took this photo of the artwork in full sun outdoors, temp 75 degrees F, 200 ASA, at 100th of a second, f 5.6, and yes all that does matter, especially to focus and colors of the image. I did purposefully play with the color of the printed sections of the image in the previous stage of work so that the transparencies in the dechirage sections would be slightly different in hue from the original paint colors. I also spent a great deal of extra time on this painting because of printer issues that caused colors to be entirely too light. However, that problem is now resolved and the painting is back on track.
Transman is based on the amazing history of transgender people. These include people like Billy Tipton, the late great Jazz pianist, Wilmer M.“Little Axe” Broadax, gospel singer, Charley Parkhurst, gold rush days whip, Alan Hart M.D., and many more. I also include images and text about modern transmen of note as well, hidden to varying degree in the layers of distressed paint and paper.
I know these last three artworks from the LGBTQ Pictionary, based on transgender people to be important because of our White Suprematist president. At the same time I never thought that I would be embarrassed by my skin color. However, I also happen to be part of one of the other groups at which this president and his government have taken aim. The groups include people of the Muslim faith, illegal Latino immigrants, all people of color, and LGBTQ people. The most egregious act of president Trump to date (there have been so many) has been his order to remove transgender people from the military. Trans Man is one of three works that speak to my grave concerns about the Donald J. Trump presidency.
