C01 London Beryl Cook

The drawing presents a full-length portrait of a woman rendered in a stylized, somewhat caricatured manner. She stands centrally within a rectangular frame bordered by a pale green hue. The figure is depicted from the front, her gaze directed towards the viewer with an expression that appears both contemplative and slightly amused.
Her physical attributes are emphasized; she possesses a substantial build, accentuated by the form-fitting white garment resembling a vintage bathing suit or corset. This attire, combined with the high-heeled green shoes, introduces a playful element of incongruity, suggesting a deliberate subversion of conventional notions of beauty and propriety. The woman’s hair is cropped short and styled in a manner that suggests age, while her spectacles further contribute to an impression of intellectualism or perhaps eccentricity.
In her hand, she holds a paintbrush, poised as if about to apply it to the canvas. This detail introduces a layer of self-referentiality; the woman appears to be both the subject and potentially the creator of the image itself. The brush becomes a symbol of artistic agency and creative expression, challenging traditional power dynamics within the realm of art production.
The color palette is restrained, dominated by whites, pinks, greens, and subtle shading that defines form and volume. The rendering style leans towards realism but with an exaggerated quality in the proportions of the figure, contributing to a sense of humor and irony.
Subtly, the work seems to explore themes of aging, body image, and artistic identity. It challenges conventional representations of femininity and beauty by presenting a woman who defies stereotypical expectations. The overall effect is one of playful defiance and self-assuredness, suggesting an embrace of individuality and a rejection of societal norms.