January Girl Crush
post a comment | posted Jan 17
| Natalia Fabia
Painter |
FP: Ok, Natalia, we'll start with the obvious, what's the fascination with hookers?
NF: Well, I think my thoughts about hookers have changed a little or actually evolved in a way. I feel that this hooker genre has been created and I feel comfortable using it to label my work and certain characteristics of my work. ...For example the constant glamorous, strong female subject matter, sparkles and fantasy like setting. Now the word "hooker" reminds me of all of these things. Hooker can definitely mean a lot of things. obviously it is mostly used as slang for prostitute.
I call all of my friends 'hooker', in the same way that many people (mostly guys) call other guys or people 'dude'. I like to use it in a playful way. I like that it is somewhat of a shocking term. Many people will call a very sexy dressed or 'trashy' looking woman a 'hooker', I like that I am using it in an opposite way.
Here is the definition for it:
1. a person or thing that hooks.
2. Slang. prostitute.
3. Slang. a large drink of liquor.
4. Slang. a concealed problem, flaw, or drawback; a catch.
5. Rugby. a player who hooks the ball in the front line of scrummage
This was taken from Webster's dicationary. I like that there are so many meanings. Not many people know that.
MY definition of hooker is:
A person that sells their abilities, talent, or name for an unworthy purpose.
I read that as a definition somewhere, and I love it. I feel it is so true.
Everyone is a hooker, selling ourselves in one way or another. Working to survive. Although, I feel that sometime we or hooker can also sell their talents for a worth
purpose. My hookers tend to be strong, independent, fashionable, punk-rock, glamourous VERY TALENTED and artistic women.
It could also be shortened to hook, like to hook someone in, entice them. I hope this all makes sense.
FP: There is definitely a sense there of the Burlesque, and of historical erotica...I say historical because of the evolution and accessibility of modern porn...but I do think there has been a swing/return lately back to the craft of the erotic, with artists like Dita von Teese and Liz Goldwyn... can you elaborate on some of your influences?
NF: I absolutely think there has been a swing return back to the tradition erotic craft. I think we will always return to it because it is just so well done..classy, alluring and just has the right amount of mystique. So much NEW erotic stuff right now is just kind of dirty...Thank god for people like Dita Von Teese and groups like the Secret Burlesque show. I have definitely been influenced by Burlesque!!!! Wow, that is kind of where all of this (my work/hooker world) started. I was always looking a t Pin ups, pin up artists, I owned tons of pin up and burlesque books. Not only did I want to be one of the girls but I wanted to recreate the feel and look of the whole genre. I was constantly looking at Burlesque photography and pin ups. My favorites were Jayne Mansfield, Lili St Cyr, Tempest Storm, Marilyn Monroe and OF COURSE Bettie Page! I loved the confidence all of the women had, their accessories (which later inspired me to create jewelry and clothing), costumes and just over all GLAMOUR!! You can see in my earlier work I paint many women that are posed just like pin ups or made to look like they came straight out of that era. I was constantly going to Burlesque shows and dressing models like Burlesque stars!
FP: Your work is very technically masterful, where did you study?
NF: I went to school at Art Center college of Design in Pasadena, CA. It is an amazing school and I would not be where I am today if I did not go there. I was taught traditional painting...composition and the teachers were some amazing artists I truly respected. I am very lucky.
FP: Do you work from photographs? Where do you find your models?
NF: I mainly work from photographs...sometimes live models. I take photos myself or have a friend that is a pro photographer shoot models and settings for me.
I have my friends model for me. I like to paint my girl friends and my friends are pretty much all hot! Or someone i randomly see out or on the street. Sometimes a person will strike a fancy to me or have a really cool look and style that makes me want to use them as a subject..or they fit an idea I have perfectly. I paint a lot of what represents my life and my friends are big part of it... I like to paint pretty things... what I consider beautiful, like chandeliers, animals, shiny things, vodka bottles, and i especially think woman are beautiful and enchanting any subject I paint i try to enhance the beauty, or the ugliness, the reality that surrounds us is important to me, but not necessarily in a realistic or representational way. A lot of my paintings come off as in-your-face or undisguised they still contain a hidden meaning. Voyeurism is something I am fascinated with, especially since our culture today is so infatuated with the lives of others. I want to depict are related to present culture, but are also open to interpretation. My intent is to gain a reaction from the viewer, whether it is positive or negative.
FP: Does your artwork usually correspond to your jewellry?
NF: Yes! Many paintings inspire certain jewelry pieces and vice versa..A piece of jewelry that I have created sometimes make me think of an idea for a painting...many of my drawing and sketch and just things that I love (and have tattooed) I make into charms..for example high heels, gems, pistol, butterfly-skulls, lightning bolts, HOOKER anything, hearts..etc... And my NEW JEWELRY is my Hooker Medallions I am also releasing a limited edition of the medallions. I have designed 6 frames and put images and crops of my paintings inside. The paintings are the gems!!! they are all silver or bronze plated and some come with precious jewels and vintage stones. For some people who can not afford or have no room at their house for a painting, they can purchase a medallion! Wear the art!
FP: What's next in your fabulous rocker chick world?
NF: I am currently working on a Hooker Beauty Pageant, which will be a live show I am writing and directing..it will also be improvised and have the crowd and judges decide. I am so excited! I am not happy with current pageants...first of all the look of the girls and that the do not have some of the greatest events like the talent competition.. It will be my take on Beauty pageants! I am also hard at work on my next solo show!! which will be early next year!!