In honor of March as Women’s History Month, the Signal Tribune has asked local artist Alejandra Vernon to share some of her portraits of prominent female figures and to provide her thoughts on the significance of each woman. “Women have influenced history in so many ways,” Vernon said. “These are my impressions of the women I have depicted in art, and the ways they have influenced me.”
“Mona Lisa. The essence of the mystery that is Woman. Men have been trying to figure her out for centuries!" " title="Mona Lisa" width="400" height="504" class="size-full wp-image-13850" srcset="https://i0.wp.com/sigtrib.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/03/Mona-Lisa.jpg?w=400&ssl=1 400w, https://i0.wp.com/sigtrib.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/03/Mona-Lisa.jpg?resize=238%2C300&ssl=1 238w, https://i0.wp.com/sigtrib.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/03/Mona-Lisa.jpg?resize=380%2C479&ssl=1 380w" sizes="(max-width: 400px) 100vw, 400px" />
“Queen Elizabeth I, for better or worse, had a huge impact on the world. History can't ignore her, and she shows the side of womanhood that can be so powerful." " title="Good Queen Bess" width="400" height="499" class="size-full wp-image-13853" srcset="https://i0.wp.com/sigtrib.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/03/Good-Queen-Bess.jpg?w=400&ssl=1 400w, https://i0.wp.com/sigtrib.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/03/Good-Queen-Bess.jpg?resize=240%2C300&ssl=1 240w, https://i0.wp.com/sigtrib.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/03/Good-Queen-Bess.jpg?resize=380%2C474&ssl=1 380w" sizes="(max-width: 400px) 100vw, 400px" />
“Frida Kahlo is an inspiration for every artist. When showing my own work, I often feel as if I am standing naked in the town square. Frida did this with every painting, baring her soul to the world. She did it boldly, heroically, and with conviction. Every artist must strive to do the same, and it's not always easy." " title="Frida" width="400" height="498" class="size-full wp-image-13855" srcset="https://i0.wp.com/sigtrib.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/03/Frida.jpg?w=400&ssl=1 400w, https://i0.wp.com/sigtrib.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/03/Frida.jpg?resize=241%2C300&ssl=1 241w, https://i0.wp.com/sigtrib.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/03/Frida.jpg?resize=380%2C473&ssl=1 380w" sizes="(max-width: 400px) 100vw, 400px" />
“Angela Davis is one of the most cultured, eloquent women alive. Her personal history is extraordinary, and she has an aura of self-confidence, humor, and sophistication in the finest sense of the word. That is why I use the word 'freedom' in her portrait. She has overcome the constraints of the world and risen above all the negativity that was thrust upon her in the past. I love Angela Davis. She is truly inspiring." " title="Untitled" width="400" height="391" class="size-full wp-image-13857" />
“Marilyn Monroe. Such beauty, fragility, vulnerability, and gentleness. There is a bit of Marilyn in every woman's heart that must be nourished and fortified." " title="Untitled" class="aligncenter size-full wp-image-13864" srcset="https://i0.wp.com/sigtrib.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/03/Untitled3.png?w=380&ssl=1 380w, https://i0.wp.com/sigtrib.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/03/Untitled3.png?resize=254%2C300&ssl=1 254w" sizes="auto, (max-width: 380px) 100vw, 380px" />
To find out more about the artist and her work, visit avernon.com.
