oil on panel, 20" x 20"
The idea for this painting came to me after I learned of the Portland, Oregon protests and the federal agents that descended on the scene to "control" the crowds. One very brave woman, dubbed Naked Athena, rose to the occasion to confront the hypocrisy of the moment, and did it in the cleverest, bravest way imaginable: naked yet in disguise with face mask and knit cap. I thought it was a brilliant move, and her yoga poses made a profound statement of defiance and compliance, all at once. This is one strong woman in total possession of herself. I was also impressed by the fact that she had no tattoos, at least that I could see from behind. So, here is someone who is able to resist peer pressure. What yoga practitioner doesn't have a tattoo? Naked Athena is a rare bird and a symbol of feminine strength of spirit.
I should point out that the scene, aside from the figure of Athena, is taken from a fireworks display outside the Police Headquarters in St. Louis, but it served my purpose in this composition to a tee: a case of poetic license. I have another painting in mind to do on the same general theme, but we'll see how that goes, as I am currently unable to devote large chunks of time to painting, even as I feel the urgency to go to my easel on a regular basis.
