Inspiring Artists: OG Influncers

      I am super excited to share what influences me. This list of who and what inspires me is so incredibly long I could devote an entire blog theme to the topic itself. A good place to start would be my OG influencers. They are all talented women, of course. 
     Lana Del Rey is my spirit animal. She found me right as I was turning from girl to woman. I lived through her music during so many troubling years of my life. Her theme of the beauty within sadness resonated within me and it really shaped how I viewed life at that time. It was unhealthy but such a whirlwind, living in a fantasy and romanticizing even the worst parts of life. But it wasn't just her music that had influenced me; her aesthetic and style also captivated me. When i first started makeup I attempted to recreate a look from the "Born To Die" music video. A Lana fan site reblogged it and trolled me for thinking I looked like her. I was so embarrassed, and super insecure but never stopped, thank god. 

    Then I discovered Marina Abramovic. I had always been fascinated with art, particularly Italian Sculptures and Early Renaissance paintings but when I found the work of Marina Abramovic art took on a new meaning. I could not believe how powerful her performance art was. The emotions her work provoked in me made me realize I had to finish my art degree. This woman is so strong and innovative, I truly admire her. Below is a performance piece called Rest Energy. In this piece Marina Abramovic wears a microphone near her heart as her long time artist boyfriend Ulay pulls an arrow back with his weight, giving him total control as he aims it at Abramovic’s chest. Marina had said this was one of the most terrifying performances she had done, only enforcing its message, love is giving someone the power to hurt you and trusting that they won’t.

    Marina Abramovic has so many amazing performance pieces that have inspired me. In the coming weeks I plan to do a post discussing more of her work and their messages. With art on the brain, I knew I wanted in this world but I was not about to let a guy hold an arrow to my heart in the name of art.

    After Abramovic, I read about Palma Bucarelli. An art historian that curated the Galleria Nazionale d'Arte in Rome from 1942-1975. She was in charge of protecting the gallery's collections during World War II which is amazing in itself. She also attended the First International Congress of Art Critics in 1948 and oversaw many iconic exhibitions of work by artists such as Pablo Picasso and Jackson Pollock. She promoted abstract art and displayed pieces that were often, at first, criticized. She had an eye for innovative and unusual pieces and she always stood her ground when expressing its relevance and importance. I aspire to live a life similar to Palma Burcarelli. She was beautiful, smart and was in control of works of art. Life goals.

For a bonus, I'm going to throw in Marilyn Monroe, solely based on aesthetic inspiration. Another strong, beautiful woman who knew how to dress and impress.