Saint Teresa on Ecstasy .:. PART I

You probably know from one of my last posts that I am obsessed with Bernini's work: Saint Teresa in Ecstasy.

St. Teresa and I, strangely, seem to have so much in common.

And, in fact, I have somewhat of an obsession with all saints.

Being as I feel like they are fascinating people.
People who did things that should have gotten them institutionalize but instead they were canonized.

But in a funny way, they also represent something a little more innocent, a little more wonder-stuck about how people used to view the world.

Saints, especially Teresa, desired so badly to transcend the physical, or at least not to be imprisoned by circumstance that the intensity of that believe actually caused that transcendence. A will of the mind.

Belief is powerful.

Recently, because of belief in myself (thank you to a few folks who know who you are!), I have been re-inspired to create.

I am doing an art swap with a friend and decided to create my own modern interpretation of St. Teresa. It ended up being a self-portrait which somehow seems fitting. A saint less "in ecstasy" but more in the transitional disillusionment.

From our childlike state of naive idealism to a more realistic form of wonder.

That in between stage was such a power and important moment in my life.
Something I feel like I survived so luckily without becoming cynical.

So instead of a Teresa at the pinnacle of pleasure its a bored and empty Teresa.

Started with a series of self portrait photos:

Whhhaaaa! overwhelmed!!
(thanks alex thompson for help with the photos!)

St. Teresa was canonized partially because of her miracle of levitation that came with her visions.

My goal is to make a modern Teresa… hauntingly suspended mid-doorway.

Not in ecstasy but dumb-ed down possibly with some ecstasy or xanax.

Then combined into this: intensive photoshop process

photoshop file with test print

intentionally trying to create the fuzzy draft printing.. printing dots and streaks all included!

first sketching!!

Decided I need to create the Baroque/medieval gold look .. conjoining the past with the present!

While traveling through Europe the medieval use of ground-gold painting gave alter pieces a distinct look. These seemlingly delicate yet bold pieces that are so distinct it seemed to me as their techniques would pull a modern Teresa in to the reminiscence look of St. Teresa's baroque world.

went to Utrecht yesterday to find the perfect gold acrylic!

now to get down to work on phase II! stay tuned!

St. Teresa art makin music

1. Sidewalk Safari - Chairlift
2. Will Do (XXXchange Dancehall Remix) - TV on the Radio
3. Hold On (Live on KEXP) - Alabama Shakes 
4. Blow it Up - The Vaccines
5.  Doo Right - Man Man
6. Nothing in the News -  Damien Jurado
7. Normal Song - Perfume Genius
8. Wait - Airhead
9. Sayso - Evy Jane
10. Wildfire - Sbtrkt (feat. Little Dragon)
11. For a Fool - The Shins
12. BB Bleu - Kid A
13. I'm God - Clams Casino
14. S'cooled - Blood Orange
15. What You Were (live version) - The Drums
16. Lonesome (Live on KEXP) - Dr. Dog
17. The Leavers Dance - The Veils
18. On and Ever Onward - Dirty Projectors + Bjork
19. I'm On Fire (Bruce Springsteen Cover) - Chromatics
20. Hands - Alpine

(youtube playlist of songs below)