Barbie Selfie

Nude Barbie Bathroom Selfie With Gun, Pittsburgh, 2014


I am working on a series of nude Barbie selfies.  Barbie's nude because she came to me that way and I am not spending money on doll clothes.  Plus, Barbie's so stiff that that's why she's often found naked at the bottom of a toybox; no kid wants the hassle of dressing her.
This shot is representative of an all-American girl, bored at home, armed because who isn't, and wanting to share her singular specialness with the world.

Barbie & You Or Me

Barbie Roberts and Maria Lassnig in 'You or Me', Pittsburgh, 2014


This year the art world lost one of its boldest visionaries when Maria Lassnig died at the age of 94.  A towering genius of unrivaled talent, she explored techniques and themes more timid artists wouldn't dare attempt.  Never flinching in her desire to push boundaries and explore the human condition within her work, she was able to transcend the condescension of the term 'female artist' and was simply an 'artist'.  To say that she's influenced my work doesn't credit her enough with how deeply a chord she's struck.  She'll resonate well beyond her expiration date.
God's speed, Maria.

Barbie & Woman Dressing Her Hair

     Barbie & Woman Dressing Her Hair, Pittsburgh, 2014

A bit of tinkering, integrating cubism along with Barbie's selfies and Picasso's tireless denigration of women, especially those he'd grown weary of.  This may be a too obvious use of pixelation...