Isis
Model: Bubbler Brett Manning
SYMBOLISM:
From the Black Butterfly series, charcoal on mylar drafting film, with white backing paper 19×32”

From a reference photo self-portrait by Redbubble friend Brett Manning, aka brettisagirl. The piece is inspired by Brett’s artistic “muses” (the butterflies) art, fashion, design, illustration, drawing, her Frankie, coffee, chocolate, her kitties, her puppies, and 60’s music, especially Bob Dylan. The butterflies are “ideas” that flutter around her head. The necklace is a nod to fashion, and to the lyric in Bob Dylan’s tune of the same name. “The World’s Biggest Necklace” is also from Egyptian mythology.
There are eleven butterflies, symbolic for myself and my ten siblings.
“Isis” lyrics by Bob Dylan:
I married Isis on the fifth day of May,
But I could not hold on to her very long.
So I cut off my hair and I rode straight away
For the wild unknown country where I could not go wrong.
I came to a high place of darkness and light.
The dividing line ran through the center of town.
I hitched up my pony to a post on the rise,
Went in to a laundry to wash my clothes down.
A man in the corner approached me for a match.
I knew right away he was not ordinary.
He said, “Are you lookin’ for somethin’ easy to catch?”
I said, “I got no money.” He said, “That ain’t necessary.
“
We set out that night for the cold in the North.
I gave him my blanket, he gave me his word.
I said, “Where are we goin’?” He said we’d be back by the fourth.
I said, “That’s the best news that I’ve ever heard.
“
I was thinkin’ about turquoise, I was thinkin’ about gold,
I was thinkin’ about diamonds and the world’s biggest necklace.
As we rode through the canyons, through the devilish cold,
I was thinkin’ about Isis, how she thought I was so reckless.

Isis belongs to the following groups:
1 on 1: The Fine Art of Portraiture , ! 100% !, All Things Poetic, Artistic, Philosophical, Alt, Bubbler Portraits, Contemporary Professional Painters and Sculptors, Dirty Filthy Art: Charcoal, Fine Arts, Glamour, Live, Love, Dream: , Mature Woman, Outsiders, Pencil Drawing (2 per 24 hrs), Realist Traditional Art, The Best of, THE DIVINE FEMININE, The Eyes Have It, Who Needs Color For Beauty? - Black & White Art At Its Best and Woman Appreciation Available for sale asGreeting Cards, Matted Prints, Laminated Prints, Mounted Prints and Framed Prints

AnitaInverarity
This is gorgeous Alice xx
Alice McMahon ... replied
You are always so kind Anita. I still see just a tweak or two, besides the photography, now that it’s posted. I’m glad it’s easy to swap out images on RB.
AnitaInverarity
I will have a look at your tweakings- looks perfect from here x
mhkantor
wonderful work. one of my favorite songs.
Alice McMahon ... replied
I always loved the song too, and listened to “Desire” repeatedly in the basement rec room when I was a teen while I was drawing album cover art, etc.
Funny that Brett likes all the same music I did as a young woman, but in my day it was current! She sort of has the “look” I had as a young woman as well. I feel quite motherly to her, she visits my studio frequently with her artist boyfriend, and she is very talented and creative. It was a pleasure to draw her.
You are always so supportive mh! Thank you. xx
Sorina Williams
beautiful work!
Leith O'Malley
Excellent likeness Alice, she must be pleased as punch!
A good kick start after the recent winged flight overseas..
Keep em’ coming :)
Alice McMahon ... replied
Brett seems to have flown the coop for a few days herself Leith, she hasn’t seen the completed work. But she was tickled about the beginnings, alright. I have several more BB pieces in the planning stages, and a solo show coming up by September. The dust will be flying. :) Thanks!
Angel Warda
beautiful!
mscholl21
so dreamy…so beautiful.
Alice McMahon ... replied
Thanks Michael. Oh, to be 22 again! :)
ShadowDancer
wow, it’s beautiful and it looks just like her.. what a striking pose, and i love the butterflies and necklace. fabulous job!
Alice McMahon ... replied
As soon as I saw this photo of Brett, I knew I had to draw her. Thanks ShadowDancer!
Sean Farragher
beautiful work
Janne Kearney
Great piece of work Alice.
Alice McMahon ... replied
Thanks Janne. xx
Firedrake
Beautiful – very soft and delicate!
Alice McMahon ... replied
I’m thinking the butterflies are still a bit heavy – but no chance to get into the studio til at least tomorrow. Boring show today, I’m doing the “just want to create” moan. ;) Thank you Firedrake!
LoneAngel
simply lovely
MoonSpiral
Beautiful work, and one of my favorite Dylan songs also!
Alice McMahon ... replied
Thanks Moon Spiral. I’m glad my model likes the tune too.
Lynsye Medalia
I am so loving this one! :) I get so excited everytime you post a new one for this series! :) It makes me want to get back to my goddess series. :)
Alice McMahon ... replied
Do it! :) I’m having fun with them. Thanks Lynsye!
WonderlandGlass
beautiful work, Alice. Tone, texture, light and shading superb and although you are dissatisfied with the colour of the lighting-I think the subtle rose tones are warm and softening… adding an element that might otherwise have been absent. Please don’t remove this if you post a different version as I intend to place it in my favs folder. Peace.
Alice McMahon ... replied
Thanks my friend. Glad you are feeling better at last! About the color, I have done some of the mylar works with a pink backing paper, but I wanted this piece brighter in the background, so I used a bright white backing board. I re-photoed today, with a bit better results, but the cropping ended up not as good as this one, long story. It’s framed up now with glass, so these will have to do.
Rochele Royster
beautiful!!!!!!
Alice McMahon ... replied
Thanks!
Waleska Luker
Love it! so lovely!
Alice McMahon ... replied
Thank you for the comment and fave! xx
DApixara
Just beautiful;Very creative,one of my favourites!
Alice McMahon ... replied
Thank you DA. I like this idea of an artist “musing” as my muse. I have a few more planned. xx
bevmorgan
This is exceptional, Alice. It has a very magical “feel” to it and the facial expression shows both strength and vulnarabilty.
Alice McMahon ... replied
:) “strength and vulnarabilty” – That would be Brett then. Thanks so much Bev!
shanemcgowan
Oh, it so sweet Alice :-))! And you make them so good sweetheart !
they are so sweet!
Soooooooooooooo cute :)
Alice McMahon ... replied
Thanks dear friend from Belfast! Nice photos there, must take a closer look! Someday I WILL visit the town of Van the Man.
brettisagirl
i just bought the card! i cannot wait to have my own little piece of Alice art!!!
Alice McMahon ... replied
Oooh Brett! The work placed in the top ten of a challenge – look below for the link. :)
Alice McMahon ...
Sweet! I should pay YOU for it ;)
Lee Wilde
Thank you for entering our PAINT THE PAINTER challenge and congratulations on making the TOP TEN!!
Alice McMahon ... replied
Wow! Forgot I even entered. Thanks Lee!
Barbara Glatzeder
Congrats on the Top 10, it’s beautiful :-)))
Alice McMahon ... replied
Thank you Barbara – can’t wait to tel my model. :) She just bought a card yesterday. xx
bld63
Outstanding!
Alice McMahon ... replied
:) Thank you!
daveivey
Alice, you are brilliant. DI
Alice McMahon ... replied
Thanks Dave – I feel a bit frustrated lately, not enough easel time! I’m curating a couple of shows and various other things. I appreciate the feedback, it gets me fired up to get back at it asap.
kimbaross
Fabulous
Alice McMahon ... replied
Thanks! Will drop in to see your profile. :)
Vasile Stan
SImply amazing and graciously beautiful, Alice. Such eyes, wow!
Pure art any way I look at it.
Alice McMahon ... replied
Brett is pure art – and a great artist. Couldn’t help but win with this shot. Thanks Stan, you are always so kind!
cdcantrell
its a lovely piece
Catherine Howell
Such gorgeous work!!
Mariska
wonderful drawing, excellent art!!!
Alice McMahon ... replied
Thank you Mariska!
ISMAIL ALAOUI ...
i see that you love ” les papillions” the butterflies,
i like this drating film results i wish i could try it once!
Alice McMahon ... replied
Yes I do! I think you can purchase online at art supply stores, like Dick Blick.
ISMAIL ALAOUI ...
they distribut only in USA, so bad!!!! :((
Alice McMahon ... replied
Oh no :( Keep searching, most likely someone will ship it to you!
Shannon Paskaruk
amazing!
Amber Rose
wonderful
lifang
Another magical piece;
))Great job, Alice;
Alice McMahon ... replied
Thanks so much for the kind comments lifang!
louisegreen
Beautiful delicate work, congrats on your challenge placing.
michael byerley
breathtaking !!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Alice McMahon ... replied
Thank you michael!
Sarah ORourke
So beautiful Alice, Brett must have beeen thrilled!!! And great song choice too… music always filters through into my art, i couldn’t live without music… always a source of inspiration!!!
Xxx
Alice McMahon ... replied
Thanks Sarah, cool! I’ll be right over to see your music inspired works! :)
Rajdev D 1 day ago
This is AWESOME my friend.
Alice McMahon ... replied about 20 hours ago
Thanks for the kind comment and watch Raj!
Jeff Burns about 20 hours ago
Gorgeous work
Alice McMahon ... replied about 20 hours ago
Thanks! :)