Back in 2013 my life started falling apart. My new NYC gallery had stopped paying and communicating with me, I lost my studio, couldn’t afford food or rent, ended up selling my truck bc I couldn’t pay the insurance, etc. I feel into a MASSIVE depression but kept forcing myself to work regardless. But, one day, a friend showed me a picture of Yayoi Kusama, an artist I’d never heard of before, and I had to paint her. Since then, Kusama has become my latest totem animal. She stands for courage, perseverance, drive and survival. I appreciate my friend, the late Providence RI based artist Heather Adels, introducing me to the “Jewel of Japan”.

More info: becklaneartist.com

Yayoi Kusama

Oil & oil pastel on aerosol on 48″ x 60″ canvas. NFS

Detail from “Yayoi Kusama”

Kusama has many components to her look including her firery red wigs

Detail from “Yayoi Kusama”

Throughout the 60″ x 48″ oil on aerosol portrait I replicated shapes and images in the style the artists uses in her own work.

Detail from “Yayoi Kusama”

Kusama, also known as the Princess of Polka Dots is well known for her costumes – simple long red robes or gowns with black and or white polka dots sewn on.

Detail from “Yayoi Kusama”

Kusama as a young girl

Oil & oil pastel on aerosol on 36″ x 36″ canvas. For pricing and info contact blu Egg Interiors Gallery, Miami 508-680-6218

A tale of two Kusamas..

Kusama photo bombing me and the girls. That Kusama!

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