Women in Art 278 Magazine January 2018 | Page 30

a m e rican artist Lena Spencer Acrylic Painting ABOUT THE ARTIST: The inspiration began with a sketch night at the Sam Bell Maxey House. We hired a model to dress in late 1800 period clothing so we could sketch. The images were lovely and the history in the house compelling. The juxtaposition of historical images, cultural and historical references, pattern and design, with today’s modern woman resonated and I began to look for connections to create narrative. My work conveys my perspective on relationships, motherhood, childhood, feminism, and life through images and materials that have been used in the past and recomposed to create a new narrative in a contemporary form. Repeated motifs stress similarities, unity and explore composition. The bicycle played an important part in shaping the future for independent women in so many ways. The images chosen have symbolic and emotional content, re- using and valuing the past, and cel- ebrating a daring and independent spirit. ART pag e 30