Women with Tattoos of Fine Art Masterpieces Are Actually Oil Paintings Themselves

Since we last checked in with painter Agnieszka Nienartowicz, she has continued to hone her skills and produce stunning oil paintings. Inspired by the world of Old Master art, her canvases typically incorporate motifs from well-known artists like Caravaggio, Hokusai, and Sandro Botticelli. Popping up as contemporary tattoos on the skin of the women she portrays, they are a wonderful tribute to the past that also looks toward the future.

One is initially drawn into Nienartowicz’s work due to her technical skill. Bordering on hyperrealism, her paintings have barely a brushstroke that’s visible to the naked eye. Each woman is portrayed with incredible accuracy and detail. It’s only when drinking in these visuals that the historical details begin to reveal themselves. Whether it’s John James Aubudon’s Birds of America peeking from beneath the shirt of a woman with her back turned to the canvas or Guido Reni’s depiction of Jesus and Mary as sleeve tattoos on a downtrodden girl, each classic painting informs the significance of the artwork.

Particularly meaningful to Nienartowicz is her Girl in White triptych. Over the course of three canvases, we see the same girl in different stages of undress and as she slowly unzips her dress, a spectacular surprise awaits. The Last Judgement by Hans Memling, a masterful 15th-century triptych, covers nearly her entire torso. The paintings are deeply personal for the artist, as they are partially an expression of her experience as a Polish emigrant.

Reflecting on the difficult past of her ancestors and how this has informed her outlook on life, she writes about her initial impressions of Americans and how different their attitudes were in comparison to what she was used to. “I remember my surprise after the first contact with these people—how much joy, openness, and positive attitudes towards the world is in them,” she recalls. “I think that there is a sadness in me that transferred from the blood of previous generations, who experienced suffering. I think many of us Poles are—often without even knowing it—deeply scarred by hard history; the stigmas of unfulfilled dreams, traces of surgery on aching souls, disfigurement after difficult choices, and wounds of tragic events. These scars are the tattoos of survival.”

Still early in her career, it’s thrilling to see Nienartowicz’s art grow and progress. As she continues to develop her craft and find her voice, we’ll be anxiously waiting to see what’s next.

Original Article: Here

Artist Uses Her Own Thigh as a Canvas for Stunning Ink Drawings

Lately, social media platforms like Instagram and Pinterest have been flooded with a renaissance of unique tattoo art. Many young people today enjoy the self-expression of adding art to their own skin, even when it’s in temporary form. Such is the case for artist Randa Haddadin, who has taken her romantic painting style to a reusable canvas—her body.

Based in Dubai, Haddadin’s art explores emotions, people, and dance. Recently, the artist has transferred her expressive technique to a series of body art illustrations. “It started a few years back as a spontaneous gesture without overthinking or much preparation—where all you need is a pen and, well, a leg or arm or back,” says Haddadin. “One canvas with so many temporary possibilities. A moment in time that’s not meant to last, but kept as a memory.” Fortunately, each drawing Haddadin makes on her legs or arms is documented on her Instagram before it disappears. Among her works are portraits, dancing figures, architecture, and botanical motifs.

“It’s a therapeutic process for me, where I don’t need to worry about the end result—keeping it, preserving it, or selling it. Instead, I can focus on the process of creating and enjoy the spontaneous strokes. The comfort of its temporariness gives me more room to be braver with my lines, unlike a permanent tattoo or a sealed oil painting,” explains Haddadin.

You can follow Haddadin on Instagram to keep up to date with her latest body art creations.

Original article: Here