Matthew-Bird_Not-Interested.jpg

Framed size: 37 x 29 in.

Not Interested
Watercolor on paper
30 x 22 in (76 x 56 cm)
$5,900.00
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2019 Wausau Museum of Contemporary Art 3rd Annual National Juried Exhibition
2019 Fine Art Connoisseur, February, Todays Masters: Cities & Towns
2018 Northwest Watercolor Society 78th International Exhibition – Awarded Best In Show
2018 North East Watercolor Society 41st International Exhibition

The Story Behind the Painting

Having worked in marketing for 15 years, I’ve always been interested in the drivers that motivate people, many of which are dishonest at worst, or manipulative at best. I saw this advertising campaign for women’s jeans on benches around Los Angeles. The image had been Photoshopped to a ridiculous degree — beyond the basic touch-ups that have become the norm. The model’s body was curved to an impossible angle. It’s an overly sexualized image, which would largely appeal to men, but is being used to sell a product to women, which will seemingly make them appealing to men.

Too often, advertising uses the low hanging fruit of insecurities in an attempt to make women feel inadequate while at the same time distorting how men understand beauty. Without getting too philosophical, I was fascinated by the idea of this guy sitting there, completely uninterested in the marketing ploy, and thought it perfect for satirical commentary.