Red

In my collection of art, I embarked on a journey of reimagination, taking simple but iconic characters as my starting point and then setting them adrift in a sea of "What if" questions. My process was far from linear; each character underwent numerous iterations as they took the reins, ultimately guiding the narrative in unexpected directions. Through many layers of paint, this cast of characters tried on various "costumes" of resilience, tenderness, and humor, ultimately settling into versions of themselves that felt authentic and compelling. I’m delighted to present these reimagined heroines and to learn about their next chapters as they make their way out into the world.

Creating "Red":

In my interpretation of Little Red Riding Hood, I began with an innocent young girl wearing a red hooded jacket standing amidst the trees in the woods. As I painted, various wolves made their way onto the canvas. Unlike the perilous role in the original story, the addition of these wolves seemed to exude themes of protection rather than danger. It wasn’t clear whether the wolves were safeguarding the girl or if she was protecting them.

What was evident to me, though, was that this version of the heroine clearly felt more at ease running in the woods with a pack of wolves than the traditional fairy tale character.

As I continued to layer paint onto the canvas, the wolves gradually receded into the background, shifting the focus of the piece back onto Red herself. Here, I aimed to capture elements of her competence, highlighting her as the central figure of strength in the narrative.