Figure in Tutu

36x36x1”
2005

This striking expressionist oil on canvas painting captures the raw emotions of a young woman as she prepares for a chic masquerade ball in downtown LA. Her date arrives to pick her up. He sees her dressed up. She sees his expression. The viewer can sense the tension in the air as she sees herself through his eyes for the first time. They are both realizing the depth of their feelings for each other. He’s just a friend, but she totally has a mad crush on him for ages. Despite her usually tom-boyish appearance, characterized by ripped jeans, a wife-beater, a hoodie and worn Converse sneakers, this moment represents a transformative shift in her self-perception and relationship with the man she has a mad crush on. Tonight she’ll be turning heads.