Then, the other day, I received an invitation to a gallery showing of the oil paintings done by artist Judy Ragagli, whose muse and favored subject is Barbie® doll--specifically, the nostalgic face sculpt (circa 1960s). Her lifelike depictions of our favorite fashion doll are achieved by mixing oil paints using only seven original tubes of oil! The results are stunning, from what I can see on my screen.
Why has Judy chosen to focus on Barbie®? In her words:
"I have always loved nostalgic Barbie and her mystique of elegance and worldliness. I see her as possessing a soul and positive spirit; her true persona extends beyond the plastic facade. She represents and contains knowledge of culture and society thus becoming more significant than an object of child's play. She is an indicator of trends, a marker of historical eras, and a positive role model for the past, present, and future..."
Judy Ragagli's work will be on display at Porch Gallery in Ojai, California from February 13 to March 25. There's an opening cocktail reception on February 15th, from 5 to 7 PM. You may also visit her website, http://www.judyragagli.com, to see more of her art.