MOTHER OF STYLE

There are a few annual shows I do a year, that I always look forward to, and Gallery1988’s ‘Idiot Box’ is definitely one of them. The show’s theme centers around television shows starting from the turn of the century, and gives me an opportunity to usually do personal fan service to a series that I love (which also works for the gallery’s clientele). My plan was to do something completely different than what you see here, but due to time constraints, I had to act and think, quickly. Thankfully, whenever I receive a prompt list, I do a little bit of brainstorming myself, and usually come up with a collection of concepts. I also finally got around to some of those shows in my cue, including this years selection, ‘American Horror Story’.

Season Five, ‘Hotel’ to be exact, but the series in general is a marvel to behold, and filled with such talented performances.

 

Interior Art Deco reference shot of 'Hotel Cortez' from (season five of) 'American Horror Story: Hotel'.

 

For those unaware the series ‘American Horror Story’ (or AHS to it’s fanbase), showcases a different story each season, in most case with the ensemble of actors from previous installments returning as different characters. The show works as a whole due to cohesive acting team, but occasionally, there is a standout.

 

‘Liz Taylor’.

 

Denis O’Hare gives a magnificent performance as the ‘Mother of Style’, in the fifth season entitled ‘Hotel’. I refuse to give any details because Liz’s story is very well scripted, but it’s wrought with hardship. As Liz, O’Hare is the face of the hotel that guests see first, and all too often, the last. The hotel itself is based loosely on the infamous Cecil Hotel which became a beacon for misfortune, and the ‘Cortez’, is no different. The season also stars: Lady Gaga, Wes Bentley, Kathy Bates, Matt Boomer, Angela Bassett, Sarah Paulson, Chloe Sevigny, Evan Peters, Cheyenne Jackson, Finn Wittrock, and Mare Winningham.

 

Denis O'Hare, as 'Liz Taylor' in (season five of) 'American Horror Story: Hotel'.

 

With my selection in mind, and the clock ticking, I had what I like to call a ‘false start’. I was so rushed to get something started, that while yes, I was striving towards a goal…it wasn’t a pretty goal. My composition was clearly uninspired.

I needed help.

I had already done my research, so I had plenty of reference, (even if it wasn’t that great), but something was just off. I went back to my notes and decided to focus more on Liz as a portrait, as my currently design included too much negative space that was just left unfilled. Also my background was ugly and just didn’t work with the image.

Initially I had some Art Deco reference shots to help with designing my interior. Since the art movement played such an important role in the ambiance of the hotel (which was where the season took place almost entirely), it needed to be represented here as well (and for other reasons that fans will appreciate).

I had already vectored out a lot of the background in Adobe Illustrator, but went back in, multiple times to make adjustments. I raised the Cortez’s logo a handful of times, and then utilized it’s design from the hotel entrance to act as a stained glass or framing device for Liz. The side panels were also taken from that same door frame structure.

While this mechanic didn’t change too much, it did change shape, size, and color a few times before settling on the design we have in the final image. 

 

Original digital pencil layout design.

 

Liz herself also proved to be a chore in some ways.

Inspired by Ruud Studio's piece below, I basically replicated it in Procreate, using Liz as my subject, and taking several personal liberties as well. Due to the change in composition I needed to gather more reference images, which eventually led me to creating a composite out of several images in order to get the pose intended.

With that in order I set to digitally painting Liz, and selecting one of her many dazzling outfits to adorn her with.  Given the reference material, and color scheme that I was also replicating, I narrowed Liz’s wardrobe down to a black dress she wore towards the end of the season that had a spectacularly sparkly collar.

That combined with her headwrap, and gold bell dangling earrings, she was complete.

 

Gorgeous portrait with Art Deco border by Ruud Studio used for inspiration, and reference. 

 

The next step was to include her customary compulsion, otherwise…how would one recognize her without cigarette in hand?

The real issue was how to portray the smoke as the juxtaposition of the rendered flesh, versus the flat and rather mechanical nature of art deco.

I ended up going with a series of dots, that overlapped each other a bit like bubbles, but I included a variation on their tints to provide some contrast between them. The one thing I liked about this approach was that the ‘smoke’ almost blended back into the background, much like Liz’s dress does at the bottom. This echoed repetition I felt was successful enough to work for the design that I played with perspective and depth a bit by manipulating the background design (with both smoke, and Liz’s dress).

 

Satisfied with the design, I took the image into Adobe Photoshop and made some minor adjustments to the contrasting, primarily on the jewelry as it was reading very dark. With that done, I sent the image off to print. I had very little time between pieces during this images development, so I ended up having to contact the gallery to ask for an extension, which I do not like to do. I am glad however that I did, as the image turned out beautiful.

 

Denis O'Hare as 'Liz Taylor' or the 'Mother of Style', from (season five of) 'American Horror Story: Hotel'.

 

I started the piece on May 9^th, 2023, and finished it May 17^th, 2023 totaling thirty three (33) hours, and fifty three (53) minutes.  In that time, I spent twenty eight (28) hours, and fifty three (53) minutes in Procreate, with an additional two (2) hours in Adobe Illustrator, and three (3), in Adobe Photoshop editing.

 

The 11” x 14” image (printed on white pearl linen, thank you SGX), was made for Gallery1988’s ‘Idiot Box’, which opened online June 2^nd, 2023. At this time the prints are exclusively available via the gallery, so please check their website for all remaining works related to the show including mine.

 

For more information, or to see a catalog of my other work, please visit my online store here.

You can also find me on various social media platforms below doing a multitude of other artistic things that include hand lettering, and the occasional sculpting, crafting or painting.

 

Website: www.michaelstiles.com

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