Current Favorite Works by Female Artists

Art is important and women are important, so here are some of my favorite works by female artists. :) 

Artist: Virginia Echeverria Whipple 

Artist website: http://virginiaecheverria.com/

Artist Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/virginia_whipple/

I love the creativity and playfulness of Whipple's work, and her use of color and texture makes each piece as visually appealing as it is thought-provoking. This piece in particular stood out to me because it represents a variety of things: the way we use art (or the creation of tactile things) as a form of self-exploration or expression; how our souls are made up of a variety of tiny moments and feelings and colored by the world around us; the modern cultural association of beauty with the ability to create, etc. 

Susanna and the Elders, Restored (Left) Susanna and the Elders, Restored with X-ray (Right)

Artist: Artemisia Gentileschi

Artemisia Gentileschi was my first step down the rabbit hole of female artists. She was the daughter of a a prolific Italian painter, and her work was beautiful as well as controversial. This particular piece carries a mystery with it which is why it is my favorite of hers--the left image was painted over the image on the right, both a depiction of the attempted rape of Susanna in the Bible. Read about her story here!

Shimmer

Artist: Isabel Sofia Rock 

Artist website: https://artbyizzyrock.bigcartel.com

Artist Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/artbyizzyrock/

All of Rock's pieces are vivid in color and movement, so it was difficult for me to choose just one that encapsulated what I love about her work. Her use of movement creates a sense of calm through the use of soft shapes, so even pieces that use brighter colors or spatter techniques maintain tranquility. She recently started using resin and metallics in her pieces, which just makes them ten times prettier. 

An open mouth creek

Artist: Angela Davis Johnson

Artist Website: www.angeladavisjohnson.com

Artist Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/angeladjohnson/

According to The New York Times, Johnson "has been told by dealers in Atlanta that her work is too political and that she should stay away from race-related issues if she wants to be commercially viable." I, for one, love the political and cultural tones incorporated in her work, as well as her use of color and texture. This piece in particular carries such a profound combination of sadness, grit, and hope, and the shading of the face is so masterful. 

Three pieces from the "Paintings for the Temple" Collection 

Artist: Hilma af Klint

I love these three pieces by Hilma af Klint, especially the whimsy created by the variety of shapes and use of contrasting colors. The first piece is so lovely, with its almost maternal color palette and curvaceousness, almost like a representation of what existence is like before you're born. In the second and third pieces, the incorporation of pastels next to bright colors as well as a flat black creates an emotional complexity that I find super intriguing. After af Klint's death in 1944, it was discovered that she had hidden away 1300 paintings that had never been displayed for the public, as well as 125+ notebooks and sketchbooks. What's more, her will stated that her life's work should be kept a secret for at least two decades after her death, and that the 193 pieces in her collection should never be separated. Read more about her story here!

Artist: Beatriz Betancourt
Artist instagram: @leonard.beatriz

Jen Hatmaker, a Christian speaker/writer I follow, purchased this piece (as well as two others) from Betancourt when she visited Cuba a few weeks ago and posted this picture of it on her Facebook, so this picture and painting officially belong to her. :) I love the use of color to invoke feminine strength, and how the drips (which based on placement and direction could communicate sweat, tears, rain, etc) invoke a message of power coming from the pain that women go through just to exist in the world, especially women of color.