The Peacock Kimono
(34
x 40 inches)
(
(Detail from
"The Peacock Kimono")
"My love affair with exotic textiles started when I was a
young art student, with my mentor, Joseph
Sheppard. His teaching was all about the "Old
Masters" of the 17th century. We were told to
emulate artists like: Peter Paul Rubens, Rembrandt and van
Dyck, as well as many of the great Italian masters like
Michelangelo and Leonardo. It was while copying portraits
in the National Gallery of Art in Washington that I became
fascinated with their ability to capture the metallic glint
of a button, or the intricate detail in the clothes worn by
royalty, as they sat for their portraits. “From the very
beginning of my career, I have tried to incorporate
beautiful textiles of this sort whenever the opportunity
arises."
(Detail
from "The Peacock Kimono")
"In
keeping with the tradition of the Old Masters, I too, rely
strictly on natural light to get my light
effects. Whether it's a silver pitcher with peonies,
or an old Japanese kimono, capturing the texture and light
effects are crucial to the success of the piece. In
The Peacock Kimono, I wanted to portray a young girl in a
relaxing pose in a billowing and colorful "Uchikake," or a
traditional Japanese wedding kimono. This particular
kimono shows a repeating pattern of colorful peacocks, with
very intricate embroidery, and even gold threads on the
peacock feathers. The bright colored tangerine sash is to
compliment the colors of the kimono and also show a little
of the girl's waist in this otherwise shapeless and heavy
cloak." - Evan Wilson
