The MVP, oil and wax on canvas, 72” x 84”, 2010

She always got to be Irlene or Louise.  My older cousin could be somewhat of a bully and never let me be one of the more desirous younger siblings when we played Barbara Mandrell and the Mandrell Sisters.  Redemption came when I played Wonder Woman, by myself.

Chronicles of a Protagonist is a series of paintings exploring the relationship of icons and superheroes and ultimately their desired values, appearance and powers. Using action figures on a backdrop of wargame dioramas or manmade terrains the narratives suggest allegories to contemporary experience. Mimicking old Hollywood movies when Caucasian actors used make-up to play different ethnicities, my personal features and/or skin color is imposed onto action-figures, becoming the protagonist, antagonist or both. The personal ego is an obstacle. Figures from popular culture are also cast. The paintings are meant to examine a range of role models and stereotypes. Drawing from film, sports and other celebrity arenas for protagonists, the re-configured narratives attempt to analyze the characters themselves and question the reality to the limits and possibilities assigned to gender and race.