ARTIST STATEMENT
The history of Art is full of portrait painters. I take the approach that painting is not precious and my work does not align with the patriarchal history of painting. I use materials that are less traditional, I never use canvas, always plywood, panelling or found wood surfaces so I can physically alter or remove the image in a forceful manner, by sanding or scraping the surface away and reimagining the ghost visage. I am a liar. Day in and day out I present as a cheerful, helpful, friendly person when in reality, my internal perspective is sad, egocentric and quite serious. Through that lens, I am eager for my portraits to communicate my vision of the truth about the subject I am portraying. We are all liars to some extent; infrequently stripping the mask we share with the world and saving our authentic selves for rare intimate occasions. The result is a body of work that captures a reality that is filtered through my artist-Latina-mujer-dyke life experience. My studio is in our uninsulated garage, I try to paint or draw every weekend.
ABOUT THE ARTIST
I spend my life in Berwyn Illinois with my partner of 28 years, our 2 pitbulls, and our cat. I am an artist and have been making art my whole life, attending college twice studying fine art. Currently, I make my living working 2 jobs, one in research consulting and the other providing LGBTQ health education. I have had 2 solo exhibitions at the Center on Halsted in the last five years.
© Cec Hardacker