The 2018 American Women Artists Show offered artists the opportunity to respond to one of ten pieces from the Haggin Museum’s collection. William Merritt Chase’s painting The Artist’s Wife especially resonated with me. In Chase’s work, dated 1892, his wife was both nameless, and faceless as she was turned away from the viewer.

My response to this piece by Chase involved some soul searching. Having been the long time wife of a well known western artist, and a painter myself, I too at times felt faceless and nameless.

My husband did need to be part of this painting for me to tell my story, however my work was not intended to be a negative comment about him. It just was about me. The process of defining that and designating my presence as central in my portrayal, was an interesting and emotional journey.

Also, with this piece, I signed my full name. As many women artists do, I normally sign my name with first and middle initials. This is a tradition that began centuries ago, as a woman’s work was not equally respected. The initials have allowed us some anonymity.

The Artist’s Wife was chosen for the AWA Show Full Sun: American Woman Artists Illuminate the Haggin Museum, at the Haggin Museum, Sacramento, CA. in 2018.

The Artist’s Wife was selected to grace the Classic Moments page of the July / August 2018 Fine Art Connoisseur magazine.

It was chosen as a Finalist in the 2018 Portrait Society of America’s “Members Only Competition” (in the Non-Commissioned Portrait Category).

The Artist’s Wife was one of 150 pieces juried into the National Oil & Acrylic Painters Society International 2020 Spring On-line Show.

#portraitpainting, #selfportrait, #fineartconnoisseur #americanwomenartists

 #NOAPS, #nationaloil&acrylicpainterssociety #williammeritchase  #lauriestevensart