In the time of Covid-19, responsible people wear a mask that covers the mouth and nose. We don't know how long this stretch will last, but, for now, as we are out and about, we see each other's eyes. We can still tell if someone is smiling by looking at the eyes. A fake smile doesn't engage the eyes. With a genuine smile, they crinkle and twinkle. I imagine sales of lipstick are down, sales of mascara up.
So, I may have started a new series in response. I had been working on a series portraying the cell phone as a kind of mask, a barrier to communication, when we are so absorbed in that little screen we pay no attention to the people around us. But in these last few works, the figure wears an actual mask and gazes directly at the viewer, not at a device. Perhaps in this season, lonely as we shelter in place, we will crave looking each other in the eye.
I created these portraits on my iPad Pro, Apple Pencil in hand, using the Sketch Club app, no image load involved, no hidden tracing. These portraits are based on selfies posted by the subjects themselves on the Sktchy app for IOS.
For information on the Sketch Club app: app.sketchclub.com -- for info on the Sktchy app: get.sktchy.com
Missu | Rayssa |
Kitty | Alana |