Jessie Makinson is a young British artist who creates bold, fantasy paintings. She draws inspiration from history and folklore to create her dream-like scenes, which feature strange, distorted characters. Makinson is selective of where she adds detail and allows the underpainting to show through the final piece, to create a sense of chaos and frantic energy. She stated about her inspiration: 'I willfully misunderstand history and its tales of heroism and domination and try to subvert the root metaphors of our culture that equate women, animals and nature as something to be conquered and used'. Makinson's work is often gruesome and depicts the triumph of the underdog, or social norms being broken by natural forces.
One of my favourite pieces is 'Get Your Own Pillow' (2015), which is an oil painting on canvas. I find Makinson's use of eclectic pattern and colour intriguing because it draws the eye around the painting to take in the narrative. I was first draw to the ill man in bed, whose detailed, high contrast rendering makes him seem sorrowful. He is surrounded by grieving figures and women holding up the bed posts, perhaps to show their support. Another woman is being held back from climbing into the bed and is partially clothed, which seems inappropriate because the man is in his death bed. This woman is wearing an animalistic mask, as is another background figure, who seems to be angry about the woman's inappropriate behaviour. On the left side of the painting is another character, who is absorbed by her own reflection and a beautiful landscape. She is oblivious to the tragic scene behind her, which could show how easy it is to become cut off from the things that are really important in our lives.
In my own work, I would like to include eclectic scenes using chaotic narratives and bold patterns that make the art intriguing. I could take inspiration from folklore to create my characters, which will demonstrate individuality.
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