F. Scott HessThis piece was painted specifically for a 2012 exhibition entitled “Hookers”, curated by a former student, Natalia Fabia. That theme has engaged her since her student days at Art Center in Pasadena. She calls her friends, who she paints in provocative clothing and poses, hookers. I believe she sees it as a freeing, perhaps even humorous label, much in the vein of the recent ‘slut’ protests. In my painting I focused on the darker aspects of prostitution, using myself as the john, and a photo I’d taken earlier of the same model used in Suzie Q. The corner of the painting in the background is by 19th century Russian painter, Pavel Fedotov, entitled “The Major’s Marriage Proposal”.
I really like this painting- well composed and engaging.
I’m not sure I’d agree that this is the ‘darker side’- other than her concerned expression which might foreshadow something darker. The Degas in the Philadelphia Museum of Art seems much darker.. Why, this room even has an oil painting in it! This might even be the lighter side! She looks like she might be able to kick your ass if things got out of hand….
Happy to see OMo is alive, well and lascivious. You and the Major in your blue suits!
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Bubbly
F. Scott Hess (b.1955)
Bubbly
2012
oil on aluminum panel
40 × 31 inches
available at Koplin Del Rio Gallery, Los Angeles
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