Allow yourself to be captivated by the beauty of female characteristics through the artwork of our featured star of the week.
Ric Conn
“My work is about Gender Equality, Woman’s Empowerment, and Mental Health Issues. It has been far too easy for people to ignore these issues in our society. That cannot and must not continue. I have dedicated my work to keeping these issues in the public eye in the hope that attitudes will continue to improve. My work is necessary, and I will keep painting about these issues until it is no longer required.” – Ric Conn.
Ric Conn.
WAS THERE A PIVOTAL MOMENT WHEN YOU DECIDED TO FOLLOW YOUR PATH AS AN ARTIST?
“I started freehand drawing when I was five, and I told my mother then that I would be an artist when I grew up; I never wavered from that proclamation.”
CAN YOU DESCRIBE YOUR WORK FOR US?
“My work is expressionistic, and it deals with the mind. My work focuses on gender equality and women’s empowerment. I have a voice, and I intend to use it. Picasso said that art is not to adorn walls; it is a weapon. My art is my weapon to fight against gender inequality and support women’s empowerment.”
WHAT DOES YOUR WORK AIM TO SAY?
“My work aims to bring to light all the inequality women have to face every day; I aim to bring these issues to light. We must recognize a problem before we can solve it.”
Keep Your Hands To Yourself, Oil On Canvas by Ric Conn.
Some men think they can touch a woman anytime they want with no regard for the woman. They are wrong. This painting addresses that problem.
She Can Think for Herself, Oil On Canvas by Ric Conn.
In the home, at work, public places men are constantly trying to control women and the situation by trying to do the thinking for her. It is about time these controlling men realize that women can think for themselves just as equally as men.
HOW DO YOU THINK YOUR WORK FITS WITHIN SOCIETY IN OUR PRESENT TIMES?
“My work is crucial in today’s society. Sexism and anti-abortions are at the forefront of social problems.
The church and government are spearheading these problems. However, our country is great because of its people, and I believe we can improve these issues. Therefore, I intend to use my work to shine a light on these problems.”
WHEN LOOKING BACK, WHAT ARTWORKS COME TO MINDA THAT MOST RELATE TO YOUR LIFE STORY?
- Uphill Battle
- Manic Depression
- Used-ta Doesn’t Live Here Anymore
- Nevermore
- Straight Jacket
- No Return
WHO ARE YOUR BIGGEST INFLUENCES?
- Pablo Picasso
- Ernst Ludwig Kirchner
- Emil Nolde
- Gloria Steinem
What If She Were Your Daughter, Oil On Canvas by Ric Conn.
Because the abortion clinic forced to close the girl when she became pregnant could not get an abortion. I put her in the foreground of the painting to show the result. The face is blank to show that she could be anybody’s daughter.
CAN YOU TELL US ABOUT YOUR CREATIVE PROCESS?
“I have an idea of what I want to do; I start with random rough sketches in a sketchbook, then I go on charcoal on paper sketches of the various parts of the composition, and then a visual idea begins to materialize. Next, I take to the canvas and do the final sketching in paint, changing its composition as necessary. Then I get to work on the painting and change it if necessary.”
WHAT VISUAL REFERENCES DO YOU DRAW UPON IN YOUR WORK?
“I occasionally use reference photos for the background or clothing elements. The people in the compositions come from my mind.”
ANY UPCOMING PROJECTS?
“Paintings for a show in Spain and one at the Cannes Film Festival in July.”
Visit this artist’s website and discover more art by our Star of The Week!
www.ricconn.com
