When I paint a live model, I like to learn about them if they want to share. Marisa, the model, chose to tell me the story of her dress, which became the focus of my painting. At first glance, the painting looks like a classic portrait of a young woman in a bright red dress. However, I sensed a strong emotional connection between her and the dress, which inspired the bold way I depicted both. I hope this intensity adds a deeper meaning to the piece.

When Marisa arrived to model for me and some artist friends, she wore a lovely white dress, with pale flowers in her hair and vintage earrings. She looked gentle and beautiful, like a character from a Victorian novel. Then, she showed us another dress, an art deco design in red and black. It had bold shapes outlined with contrasting piping and a light pattern of shapes and flowers around the skirt and bodice. The dress was striking, unique, warm, and creative. It expressed independence and a non-conformist spirit, full of personality and surprises. The fabric was sturdy, in a bright red color. We all agreed that Marisa should wear that dress, and when she did, she seemed to transform.

Marisa shared the story of the dress. Her mother was shopping for a wedding dress with her own mother when she found one she loved. Marisa’s grandmother promised to buy it if her daughter didn’t wear it at her wedding, which is how the dress became her mother's. Years later, when Marisa was just 6, she lost her mother and was raised by her grandmother. That’s mostly what we learned, along with hints that her mother was a rebel, possibly sharing the same unique traits as the dress. Marisa might find comfort, strength, and love when she wears it. It made me wonder if a dress can serve as a vessel of captured emotions, and in this case, can those emotions be brought brought to life in a painting?

Marisa’s Dress, was included in the exhibition: GO FIGURE: EXPLORING THE HUMAN FORM, curated by Deborah Forman, CAPE COD MUSEUM OF ART, Dennis, MA, September 13, 2018 - February 17, 2019