tart 2 (tärt)
n.
1.
a. A pastry shell with shallow sides, no top crust, and any of various fillings.
b. Chiefly British A pie.
2.
a. A prostitute.
b. A woman considered to be sexually promiscuous.


Tarts and feminism are linked for me. Growing up, I often baked with my grandmother. The women in my family have always taken pride in baking, and naturally I feel content and happy in the kitchen. Baking is something I will forever associate with being a woman. The older I get, the more I see the correlation between pastries and women, both can be described as sweet, fragrant, pretty, delicate, layered, and are molded in the kitchen.

These thoughts are a constant in my life and my art. My paintings represent a combination of my thoughts on feminism and baking. This is my recipe. I start with paper, the texture adds delicateness and airiness my work. Then then I spread gesso and add watercolor. I work out ideas, consider color, and lay the groundwork for what is to come. Next, I add bits of feminine ephemera from magazines. And I finish with a coating of oil paint bringing everything together.

The most important part of my work is not just about the baking process, it’s also about feminism and being proud to be a woman. Not just hiding behind the life a woman is “supposed to” have, but my paintings are about stepping out of the mold that we’re taught to be/expect as women and being your own definition of what a woman should be. Much like taking that original recipe and making it your own with additions known only to you.