Note: I do not own copyright to this image. I painted it as an exercise, it is not for sale
This painting is a portrait of Alanis Morissette from a photo in the booklet of her second CD, 'Supposed Former Infatuation Junkie'. I was drawn to the picture when I first saw it in 1998. I love the movement, the pure joy that emanates from the image.
To me this screamed 'I want colour'. I am not very experienced with watercolour or guache and I was scared I'd ruin the drawing.
So I started on a canvas with acrylic paints.
This is a photo of the original picture, with the colours completed on my acrylic canvas. I was just starting to do the black.
My favourite song on this album was 'That I Would Be Good.' In 1998 when it came out, it was particularly poignant as it mirrored the losses in my life at that point from illness:
"That I Would Be Good" by Alanis Morissette
(c) 1998 Maverick Recording Company
That I would be good even if I did nothing
That I would be good even if I got the thumbs down
That I would be good if I got and stayed sick
That I would be good even if I gained ten pounds
That I would be fine even if I went bankrupt
That I would be good if I lost my hair and my youth
That I would be great if I was no longer queen
That I would be grand if I was not all knowing
That I would be loved even when I numb myself
That I would be good even when I am overwhelmed
That I would be loved even when I was fuming
That I would be good even if I was clingy
That I would be good even if I lost sanity
That I would be good
Whether with or without you
(c) 1998 Maverick Recording Company
That I would be good even if I did nothing
That I would be good even if I got the thumbs down
That I would be good if I got and stayed sick
That I would be good even if I gained ten pounds
That I would be fine even if I went bankrupt
That I would be good if I lost my hair and my youth
That I would be great if I was no longer queen
That I would be grand if I was not all knowing
That I would be loved even when I numb myself
That I would be good even when I am overwhelmed
That I would be loved even when I was fuming
That I would be good even if I was clingy
That I would be good even if I lost sanity
That I would be good
Whether with or without you
Finally I played on the computer with my original drawing and came up with this.I've really enjoyed making this piece!