I paint on embroidery hoops with oil paint as a question to the hierarchy and sexism within fine art and how embroidery is often left out of the fine art world. Oil paint is seen as superior to many other art forms, especially art forms that have been traditionally created by women, like embroidery.
For my reference photos I am using the photos of sex workers, as throughout art history men have painted nude women for the male gaze. I paint women who choose how they pose, when they pose, and for whom they pose, and empower themselves in doing so. Sex workers are also seen negatively within society and traditionally in art history figurative work and portraiture is reserved for high class and royalty.