Watermelon Boobies!

This morning was a bit rough! I was looking in the mirror and thinking all sorts of unhappy sour puss stuff. Then I had to pull it together. First it was was my hair, then my eyes, then my skin, then my mouth. I was thinking to myself… for myself “when will I be through with not appreciating you?” You know? Like “how many licks does it take to get to the tootsie roll center of a tootsie pop?” type question. How many licks (kicks, hurts, bumps, pains, ego bruises, funky puddin faces, sulky mirror dance trances) does it really take?  Why don’t I just bite the hard candy shell and get to my chocolatey goodness?! I think I got some treats to be proud of, some sweets to flaunt, some puckers to smoother with gooey gumdrop affection. 

So in my search for some interesting reps of balancing self appreciation I happened up this artist Ms. Karin a winning woman who Wins Now. Here are a couple of her paintings.  

 

About Karin Turner words from her site: www.karinsart.com

 Born: 09 nov 1962    Landstuhl, Germany
Currently residing & creating in Oakland, Ca.

I create positive African American images in the form of brightly colored original acrylic & watercolor paintings and drawings. My figurative portraits speak of the past relating to the present, while forecasting an optimistic future. Subscribing to the belief that “everything will be all right”; they reflect both whimsy and pride of my African American heritage.

I have been painting for approximately 4-5 years. Each completed painting is an exercise in the pursuit of perfecting my own personal style, mastering the chosen medium, and creating my own legacy as an African-American woman.

Studio Karin Turner

The content of my work consists generally of all female imagery either as icon type figures or as nudes. Currently I choose to paint African American women of color.

My images offer subtle commentary on racial/gender stereotypes simply by their existence.

I have chosen to illustrate the upside of having a heritage that has always been illustrated as a down time for African Americans…survival in spite of…along with triumph, could never be a downside: This applies to everyone, so I feel that my art is for everyone—not just black women who know what it is like to be stereotyped.

Although none of my images “cut you”—they certainly do leave an imprint on the mind, challenging your thoughts/opinions on racism, stereotypes of beauty, sexuality, & nudity. Often combined with levity or the very things that are used to promote stereotypes.

I invite the viewer to ask her/himself some questions…

Am I surprised to see these fantastical creatures have both brown skin and curves?
Or is this the way I’ve always imagined them?

Did Aunt Jemima have a beauty mark?

Who invented skinny as normal—and popular? And if that’s normal…
Does that make all who adore and desire the roundness of my curves—”freaks”?

Do I feel uneasy about the “simple complexity” of watermelon?

Have I reached the point of being able to auto-correct all of the derogatory images that have been associated with watermelons and ebony skin?

Have I educated myself & others to be able to accept these images for what they are?

And finally,

Can’t a pretty picture just be a pretty picture?

Thank you for experiencing my art.