Drop Dead Gorgeous

Pen & Watercolor
43.2 x 52.7 cm
Nov 2010

 Tradition: the handing down of statements, beliefs, legends, customs, information, etc. by word of mouth or by practice. 

          For my concentration piece, I decided to focus on the tradition of the American past time of glorifying or idolizing celebrities. They were viewed as icons and role models and their old glamorous Hollywood appeal (fashion, practices, hairstyles, etc.) are still still, to this day, reminisced on and used as inspiration for other projects.

          I chose to emphasize on the past time belief that smoking was glamorous and alluring. The old Hollywood starlets and movies all portrayed smoking as beautiful and alluring activity, unknowingly harmful to the body. Rita Hayworth and Marilyn Monroe were used as major inspirations for this piece, with their fashion, makeup, and hair style.