Isis

Alice McMahon White

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 as

Greeting Cards, Matted Prints, Laminated Prints, Mounted Prints and Framed Prints

Isis by Alice McMahon White
  • AnitaInverarity

    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

    AnitaInverarity

    I will have a look at your tweakings- looks perfect from here x

  • mhkantor

    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

    Sorina Williams

    beautiful work!

  • Leith O'Malley

    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

    Angel Warda

    beautiful!

  • mscholl21

    mscholl21

    so dreamy…so beautiful.

  • Alice McMahon ... replied

    Thanks Michael. Oh, to be 22 again! :)

  • ShadowDancer

    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

    Sean Farragher

    beautiful work

  • Janne Kearney

    Janne Kearney

    Great piece of work Alice.

  • Alice McMahon ... replied

    Thanks Janne. xx

  • Firedrake

    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

    LoneAngel

    simply lovely

  • MoonSpiral

    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

    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

    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

    Rochele Royster

    beautiful!!!!!!

  • Alice McMahon ... replied

    Thanks!

  • Waleska Luker

    Waleska Luker

    Love it! so lovely!

  • Alice McMahon ... replied

    Thank you for the comment and fave! xx

  • DApixara

    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

    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

    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

    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 White

    Alice McMahon ...

    Sweet! I should pay YOU for it ;)

  • Lee Wilde

    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

    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

    bld63

    Outstanding!

  • Alice McMahon ... replied

    :) Thank you!

  • daveivey

    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

    kimbaross

    Fabulous

  • Alice McMahon ... replied

    Thanks! Will drop in to see your profile. :)

  • Vasile Stan

    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

    cdcantrell

    its a lovely piece

  • Catherine  Howell

    Catherine Howell

    Such gorgeous work!!

  • Mariska

    Mariska

    wonderful drawing, excellent art!!!

  • Alice McMahon ... replied

    Thank you Mariska!

  • ISMAIL ALAOUI ABDALLAOUI

    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 ABDALLAOUI

    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

    Shannon Paskaruk

    amazing!

  • Amber Rose

    Amber Rose

    wonderful

  • lifang

    lifang

    Another magical piece;)
    Great job, Alice;
    )

  • Alice McMahon ... replied

    Thanks so much for the kind comments lifang!

  • louisegreen

    louisegreen

    Beautiful delicate work, congrats on your challenge placing.

  • michael byerley

    michael byerley

    breathtaking !!!!!!!!!!!!!!

  • Alice McMahon ... replied

    Thank you michael!

  • Sarah ORourke

    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

    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

    Jeff Burns about 20 hours ago

    Gorgeous work

  • Alice McMahon ... replied about 20 hours ago

    Thanks! :)

Add your comment

You need to login or signup to add your comment to this work.