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Saturday, January 31, 2009

3 Artists, 1 Subject - January


"Female Pills" - Jelaine Faunce - 6" x 6" - oil on hardboard panel


"Nectar Detectors" - M Collier - 6" x 6" - oil on hardboard panel


"Son, we found this in your room, and..." - Otto Lange - 6" x 6" - oil on hardboard panel

This month's challenge subject was chosen by me, and I picked antique specimen bottles. I should note that they are also often referred to as antique pill bottles, and I chose to treat mine as such for my own painting.
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I admit that my painting subject might easily be considered sexist or insensitive except that, you know, I'm a woman. And I can say with great certainty that a handful of chocolate chips at certain times of the month is far more satisfying than a handful of Midol.
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I recently acquired several antique medicinal labels and thought this particular label was downright hilarious. Had to use it. For those wondering, it reads, "FEMALE PILLS - Take one at noon and two at bedtime". Pffffttt!!! As if three a day would be enough. Don't you wonder what was in those original pills???? Sodium Penethol? Heroin? Pot? Probably a placebo of grandma's baking flour sprinkled liberally with cocaine. Kind of like how Coca-Cola initially had that little extra KICK to it, according to Wikipedia. Wheeeeeee!!!
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I digress.
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You know what's also really funny to me is that, on the original label, the lettering is not as precise as our modern labels. The lettering really was kind of "off", the old printing press style. Actually, it reminded me of those woodblock print mass produced prayer papers like you'd get at the Chinese grocery just before New Year's. Sort of perfect in their imperfection. You have no idea how much I struggled to clean the lettering up. In the end my devotion to the true image won out over my obsessive nature. Yet I'm still twitching about it. That will likely never change. Maybe I should have been a graphic artist after all. LOL
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If your sense of humor runs a little toward the dark side like mine, and you'd like purchase information for "Female Pills", please email me at jpfstudio@yahoo.com

12 comments:

Carol Schiff Studio said...

Very cool, Jelaine, I can relate!

Deb Schmit said...

Saw your work over at M Colliers.
This particular painting caught my eye.
Sexist? Absolutely not. Hilarious? Perfectly.
Thanks for the chuckle :0)

...just a thought...
This one could easily sell in an edition.

Sheila said...

Wonderful challenge. I feel like your challenges are the Pro's and I'm still in JV. Love your painting and sense of humor.

Christy McGuire said...

Hey Jelaine...this is too funny! It made me laugh early this morning. Fantabulous work! (:

Vesna Designs said...

Carol, your work and handling of oil is superb, eagerly waiting for the next update-Cheers!!!

mavarts said...

Uh oh. I just took a handful of female pills this morning! What are the side effects for a guy?

Lisa Faulkner Wright said...

What a great idea to put kisses in an antique bottle. Far more useful than a ship. I love the way you think, Jelaine. And paint.

Diana Moses Botkin said...

Oh I love these new Challenge paintings! You all are so talented and creative.

Jelaine Faunce said...

Hey, All! Sorry to take so long to post the comments. It's been a busy week!

I wanted to thank you all for the kind comments on our Challenge paintings. We are so glad you like them. We love painting them. It's a great opportunity to play, to paint things that might not otherwise be painted.

Mark, I'm sure you'll be fine. But cut back if they make you grow breasts and cry at commercials featuring kittens and puppies. ;o)

Theresa Rankin said...

These are really stunning! Great work here and great reading...what a sense of humor!!

Theresa Rankin said...

These are really excellent! I love the unique look of these individual pieces!

r garriott said...

I first saw your 'female pills' a week ago; it keeps popping into my head and just thinking about it makes me laugh.

All three renditions from your trio are outstanding. What a great idea.