“The Pop Shop” Artist Statement
Brighten Your Way and Have a Nice Day 🙂
My previous work dealt with abstract ideas about progress and the optimistic world of Mid-Century Modernism. But in the aftermath of world (and personal) tragedy, I found it hard to paint “happy.” I tried to reconcile my drive to be creative and express, but all that came across was gray paint and depression.
On the brighter side, I had just inherited over 20 canvases from my grandmother who was a wonderful landscape painter. I decided to use this gift to my advantage and start testing out new painterly techniques. Taking a completely experimental approach from all previous work, a whole new series of paintings was begun on the one year anniversary of 9/11. It ended up being the most personal work I’ve done to date.
At the same time, I have been collecting cheap trinkets of Pop Culture for over twenty years and decided it was time to share the ‘miniature’ joy they bring! So these abstract paintings are filled with little ornaments of childhood innocence.
I chose specifically to show this series of work at the Boba Bar due to the nature of the product. Boba otherwise known as black pearl tea is a sweet and addicting concoction that has a Sanrio style sensibility. It is the perfect bubbly drink to consume while looking at happy paintings with underlying complicated emotional texture.
Bright clear paint colors hide an underlying undercurrent of ugliness and sometimes disturbing dissent in theme. But that’s life, isn’t it? We fill our hours with TV and trivia to keep from feeling the desperate loneliness of existence and the often bitter reality of day to day life. And somehow it keeps us going and going and going…
So enjoy the paintings and have a nice day 🙂
Labor of Love (for Adam Corolla) Acrylic, Plastic Baby Assemblage on Canvas Mary-Margaret Stratton, 2003 This one is for Adam – the self proclaimed social genius. What does the painting mean? As Adam would say, ” ‘I don’t know’ is never an acceptable answer.” Look at it and figure out the message. There are just too many unloved babies having unloved babies. Overpopulation is the root of many of the world’s troubles. But aren’t they kinda cute?
Bazooka After a Bender Acrylic, Gum, Comic Assemblage on Canvas and Panel Mary-Margaret Stratton, 2003 Meet Joe Bazooka after an all-nighter. He partied a little too hard and then something suddenly came up.
Muddy Ray of Light Acrylic, HO Soldier Assemblage on Canvas Mary-Margaret Stratton, 2003 The tiny soldier in my heart battles it out and makes one last valiant attempt against the impending murkiness. Granted, the dark side has depth and color, and an be complex and appealing, but sometimes it’s too overwhelming for one small soul.
. Like a Prayer: Buddha finds his Higher Power Acrylic and Assemblage on Canvas Mary-Margaret Stratton, 2003 Even a spiritual leader needs a higher power.
F*ck Buddies Acrylic and Cupcake Topper Assemblage on Canvas Mary-Margaret Stratton, 2003 Inquiring minds want to know… Did Fred and Barney really have a gay ole time?
Sex: Death or Heaven Acrylic, Dice Assemblage on Canvas and Panel Mary-Margaret Stratton, 2003 Thank you Andy Warhol for bringing respectability to “Paint by Numbers.” Now here’s a different set of numbers… and a roll of the dice… When you go for a roll in the hay… you never know what it’s gonna be.
Gal Pals Acrylic and Cupcake Topper Assemblage on Canvas Mary-Margaret Stratton, 2003 They’ll always be bosom buddies, friends, sisters and pals. If life should reject you – there’s she to protect you.
It’s Not Easy Being Green Acrylic, Hobby Grass, Green Army Men on Canvas Mary-Margaret Stratton, 2003 Isn’t it funny how green is supposed to be the color of peace? This is dedicated to our brave young men and women going out to rescue us from the evildoers. Watch out for plastic explosives!
Secondary Fears Acrylic and Hand-Made House Assemblage on Canvas Mary-Margaret Stratton, House -1983, Painting -2003 Commitment vs. Separate Beds Once you have the house and/or kids, etc., you are really hooked aren’t you? There’s no getting out without a big messy expensive scene. And who would want to get out anyway? Isn’t a soul mate and home of one’s own the American Dream? What does it mean to be an American now anyway? And what average person can afford his or her dream home all alone? Be vewy vewy afraid.
Mars & Venus Meet in the Middle Acrylic, Cupcake Topper Assemblage on Canvas Mary-Margaret Stratton, 2003 From one end of the wilderness to the other, Cowboy Chuck and Mollie Rancher meet in a vast open space of settlement.
Don’t Mew Over Spilled Cow Mammary Spew Acrylic, Hello Kitty cup Assemblage on Canvas Mary-Margaret Stratton, 2003 Got Mammary Spew? Go Ahead – try a nice non-dairy milk BOBA tea!
Doll Parts for Courtney Springs and Plastic Dolls – Mobile
Genesis 9:2-4 Bamboo and Vintage “Adventureland” Animals – Mobile
Mr. Smiley Acrylic, Pin Assemblage on Canvas Mary-Margaret Stratton, 2003 Yes, that is an authentic vintage smiley face pin from the 1970s. It was bought in the Wisconsin Dells on a cross country family driving trip in the summer of 1971. This is dedicated to my friend, Mr. Smiley, the man in San Francisco with the world’s largest collection of smiley faces. I just hope he is happy?
Secret Agent Ninja Boy Acrylic and Assemblage on Canvas Mary-Margaret Stratton, 2003 So powerful and deadly AND so silent. No woman really knows what goes on in the minds and hearts of men. Father (Dr.) Phil says, “Let your authentic self SPEAK UP!!!”
Primeval Scream Acrylic and Assemblage on Canvas Mary-Margaret Stratton, 2003 If the dinosaur screamed in the painting when you weren’t looking, did he make a sound?
Cotton Candy Clouds (for Anna Nicole) Acrylic, Sugar, Plastic Fly, Dead Ant Assemblage on Canvas Mary-Margaret Stratton, 2003 I am tired of people making fun of Anna. I like her. If she wants a fluffy pink bedroom, then she should have it. But she should have been nicer to Bobby Trendy. We girls have to stick together.
Popular Girls Acrylic, Vinyl Sheet, Valentines, Doll Assemblage on Canvas Mary-Margaret Stratton, 2003 Barbie, Barbie, Barbie, she’s just a shallow plastic airhead. Why does she get all the valentines? Hey don’t go looking up her skirt!!!
Primary Optimism Acrylic, Genuine Ruby Pin and Assemblage on Canvas Mary-Margaret Stratton, 2003 A survey of the 3 date relationship: 1st date is full of hope… Maybe this is the one? 2nd date you fall deeper in love… This really is it! And life is filed with busy little romantic distractions. 3rd date is when good behavior seeps out the window and reality sets in… Maybe he/she’s not so perfect after all? Let’s just be friends.
Different Strokes 4 Different Folks Acrylic, Erotic Assemblage on Canvas Mary-Margaret Stratton, 2003 See? Different types of paint strokes… in different tints of purple… Get your mind out of the gutter!
Different Strokes 4 Different Folks Acrylic, Erotic Assemblage on Canvas Mary-Margaret Stratton, 2003 See? Different types of paint strokes… Get your mind out of the gutter!
Soul Support Acrylic and Assemblage on Canvas Mary-Margaret Stratton, 2003 Sometimes a girl just has to go shopping for new shoes to keep her spirits up. My mother has over 100 pairs and I am following in her ‘footsteps’ with over 50 pairs myself!
Heed the Signs Acrylic, and Fortune Assemblage on Canvas Mary-Margaret Stratton, 2003 With baited breath and anticipation, you rip open the package from one corner straight across to the other side and remove the goods. First you tug at the precious slip of paper being careful not to tear it. Then you crumble the object in half with your bare hands and yank out the message hoping it will be full of good fortune and THIS is what it says…
Vortex of Compromise Acrylic, Spray Paint, Spider Assemblage on Canvas and Panel Mary-Margaret Stratton, 2003 Do not fall into the web of settling for less than you deserve. The result is a slow agonizing death of having your insides sucked out of you.
Hall of Mirrors Acrylic, Mini Frame Assemblage on Canvas Mary-Margaret Stratton, 2003 I voted. So I have the right to complain, right? Except, I’m told I have to look at my own defects before I should look at the sliver in someone else’s eye. So now I’m looking at the man in the mirror where everything is black and blue. What do you see reflected back at you?
I Do Not Like This Painting Acrylic, Plastic Easter Eggs & Ham Assemblage on Canvas Mary-Margaret Stratton, 2003 I do not like green eggs and ham. I do not like them. Vegetarian I am.