
One Size Fits All
One Size Fits All
24 x 48
2002 / #9
Yet another painting based on a real life observation encountered while on vacation, this time off ship and on shore in the Bahamas someplace. When cruise lines dock at Caribbean ports, along the shore are many little booths and stands manned by the locals selling native goods, made in Taiwan. Some of the most frequented are the clothing displays. Most of the racks are labeled “one size fits all” to eliminate the language barrier and having to actually sort anything. The concept of one size fitting everyone is a blatant lie, but it does not stop anybody from trying. Granted, more and more often I see things labeled “one size fits most” which pretty much covers their butt in regard to truthfulness, but that idea has not reached the tourist traps quite yet.
I watched a mother and daughter browse through the selections pulling out one dress after another and holding it up to gauge the fit. Neither of them had ever missed a buffet line to put it nicely and no way would the outfits being considered ever expand far enough to make the label a true statement. I wanted to capture this attempt and this gesture. The suntan line also interests me.
The character is placed on a narrow canvas to emphasize her width and I added lots of tropical tourist elements to place her in context to when I was originally inspired. The same gesture happens in malls all across America most likely, but I hate shopping so I never really see it there.
People accuse me of being mean and making fun of heavier people but that is so far from the truth. To think that way is to not see past the image on the canvas. Would the same concept have been as easy to explain if the elements were reversed? A skinny person holding a big dress might be a statement on eating disorders and my point would be lost. I choose a character’s type by the idea I want to express. Many of my paintings have skinny people as well, but nobody calls me mean in regard to those. Why? Is the problem the viewers or mine? I cast roles for my messages and if I need a big behind to express my point of view, she gets the job.
24 x 48
2002 / #9
Yet another painting based on a real life observation encountered while on vacation, this time off ship and on shore in the Bahamas someplace. When cruise lines dock at Caribbean ports, along the shore are many little booths and stands manned by the locals selling native goods, made in Taiwan. Some of the most frequented are the clothing displays. Most of the racks are labeled “one size fits all” to eliminate the language barrier and having to actually sort anything. The concept of one size fitting everyone is a blatant lie, but it does not stop anybody from trying. Granted, more and more often I see things labeled “one size fits most” which pretty much covers their butt in regard to truthfulness, but that idea has not reached the tourist traps quite yet.
I watched a mother and daughter browse through the selections pulling out one dress after another and holding it up to gauge the fit. Neither of them had ever missed a buffet line to put it nicely and no way would the outfits being considered ever expand far enough to make the label a true statement. I wanted to capture this attempt and this gesture. The suntan line also interests me.
The character is placed on a narrow canvas to emphasize her width and I added lots of tropical tourist elements to place her in context to when I was originally inspired. The same gesture happens in malls all across America most likely, but I hate shopping so I never really see it there.
People accuse me of being mean and making fun of heavier people but that is so far from the truth. To think that way is to not see past the image on the canvas. Would the same concept have been as easy to explain if the elements were reversed? A skinny person holding a big dress might be a statement on eating disorders and my point would be lost. I choose a character’s type by the idea I want to express. Many of my paintings have skinny people as well, but nobody calls me mean in regard to those. Why? Is the problem the viewers or mine? I cast roles for my messages and if I need a big behind to express my point of view, she gets the job.