Savage Sisters

Some time ago I began a set of embroideries based on the legend of the Femme Fatale. I worked on them on and off over the year. Skip to now and you can see the finished pieces the Savage Sisters!

This deadly duo are inspired by my love of history and also my interest in the Femme Fatale; I wanted to create the ultimate dangerous and macabre women. Like all the best Femme Fatales they posses a superficial  allure which jars with their true nature.

The pair represent two of histories most violent inventions which changed the world forever, the guillotine and gunpowder.

Both embroideries are stretched and fixed into dark wood frames 8x10 inches and are ready for hanging. Available from www.thegemmaparkerartshop.bigcartel.com

News and updates

 

 

Today Fiona visited the studio to pick up her portrait. Even though I'd completed this painting a couple of months ago it wasn't until today that Fiona saw it with her own eyes.

I'm very pleased to say she loved it and said she thought it was beautiful! I love to see the finished article in the hands of the person who commssioned it as it gives me a sense of real satisfaction!

Other news:

Currently I'm busy putting a profile together of who my audience is based on the results of my online survey. Thanks to you lot who helped me out! And congrats to the prize draw winner, Mikey from Stoke, who was lucky enough to gain a limited edition print just by answering some questions about my art practice!

I plan to use my survey information in marketing my work. It's been fun because this is a totally different aspect to the creative hands on side of being an artist and I feel I'm learning new skills as I go.

Art news:

 

 

In between the pie charts and data analysis I've been putting together some ideas for a new series of paintings; I recently read a book based in the early 1800's where reference was made to a 'tatez-y' (pronounced tat-ay-zee). To put it into context, a lady's freckle was being admired and was refered to as a 'tatez-y' or 'touch here', to translate the french slang.

I thought how wonderful this idea was; subtley sensual but sweet at the same time, to focus on a blemish or mark on the skin and turn it into something desirable and decadent. I've looked online for more about this phrase but so far have only found reference to it as a low lacey neckline from the same peroid. I'll continue to research to see what more can be found and I have an idea to make this an interactive project turning the intimate into a celebrated theme. It's all a bit hazy at the moment but I'll keep you informed as I go...

A long long time ago I told you about my femme fatale diptych I planned to embroid based on historic themes. Those of you who visit my Facebook page will have seen this photo before but I have now completed Madame Guillotine (I just haven't got a finished photo of her yet) and I'm going to start work on Lady Gunpowder in the next few weeks!

When they are finished I plan to frame them, unlike my past embroideries which I have left in the hoop to be displayed, I think these ladies need a gilded window in which to look out of so I'm hoping to find for some antique style gold frames. I'll let you know how I get on :)

Updates and a host of deadly women!

It feels like ages since I last posted, and the reason for that is because it has been ages! But rather than kicking back and watching re-runs of Horrible Histories on loop (as much as I'd love to), I've been busy putting several projects into place;

Firstly,  I have been putting together some market research to find out more about my audience; that means YOU!  I will soon be launching a Gemma Parker Artist Survey to find out who you guys are and your relationship with art. I'll need your help and to show my eternal thanks there will be a chance for you to win a limited edition art print of my work in a prize draw as part of the survey! 

I'll be doing this very soon so keep posted!

Secondly the portrait commission for latex model and all round glamour puss Fiona is all but finished, I just need to do a few tweaks here and there, and she will soon be the proud owner of a very striking portrait of herself in a haze of vibrant rouge!

 

Lastly I have been working on a new diptych embroidery based on the concept of the 'femme fatale', but with an historic theme. I've really been enjoying this rather bloody inspired work and will report more soon!

-

In the meantime here's some of my favourite Femme Fatales from art and film!

Rose Loomis -Niagara

Marilyn Monroe plays a sultry yet vulnerable mistress of doom in this fabulous fifties drama. Dubbed as 'A raging torrent of emotion even nature can't control' Monroe was given the chance to play a different character to her usual dizzy gold digger, and she does a great job! As the manipulative and shallow Rose, Monroe was photographed in front of the famous falls comparing her unparalleled form to one of natures wonders.

Lizze Siddal - Artist and model

Starting out as a model to the Pre Raphaelites after being 'discovered' in a milliners shop, Lizzie soon became the sole muse of Dante Gabriel Rossetti, who she went on to marry. Their relationship before the marriage however was far from perfect with a firey courtship, constantly falling out then passionately in love again. Rossetti's infidelities caused Lizzie to become insecure and exacerbated her mystery illness (probably the results of laudanum addiction). After just  two years of marriage and a miscarriage Lizzie took an overdose and passed away. But she was to have the last laugh as her image haunted Rossetti for the rest of his life causing him to slowly lose his mind, believing her restless spirit blamed him for her death. Even today Siddal is an icon of feminine mystery and the power a woman's allure can have over men.

Medusa- Greek Mythology

Poor old Medusa has always had my vote. Turned into a monstrous serpent woman with snakes for hair, her mere gaze turned mortals to stone. But she wasn't always the badass bitch you see here. Originally she was a beauty who inspired much jealousy from the gods eventually being turned into a hideous form as punishment by Athena. The ultimate woman wronged, she took her revenge on all men by creating a garden of statues from their lifeless bodies.

Other Femme Fatales worth a look: 

Bridget Gregory - The Last Seduction; Linda Fiorentino plays the ultimate bitch who has her cake and eats it!
Lora King - Die a Little; Amazingly evocative 'noir' thriller written by Megan Abbott
Norma Desmond - Sunset Boulevard; Wonderfully flawed and gloriously glamorous Gloria Swanson