acrylic; 22×18”

“Standards of beauty during COVID. Masks dominate our New World. When she sits down to prepare for a night out…she has given up wearing blush or lipstick. We have, for the history of humanity, relied on viewing the entire face to judge and understand communication. Now we are being reduced to muffled sounds behind masks – we rely almost completely on the movements and expression of the eyes.”

ARTIST BIO: James Conroy, a Cincinnati native, is a retired fire fighter/paramedic. Through his art, he wants to create a language of shared experience and understanding. Painting allows him to process how he is feeling at any given moment and hopefully those with different skills can use his art as an outlet as well. James has no formal art training, so he trusts his instincts along with the love of his favorite works to inspire him and guide him.