Martha Rich's Freedomwig.

Martha Rich pretty much rocks my world. I mean, what's not to love about her amazing paintings?

Apparently, according to La Luz Jesus Gallery where Martha is currently on exhibit, when Martha Rich was very young, she was a model for television and print commercials. Rediscovering one of her old J.C. Penney shoots lead to her obsession with vintage department store catalogs from the 60's and 70's. Working with mixed media, acrylic, pencil, ink and collage, Rich's style, which she calls "imperfect", is heavily influenced by the stiff model poses, undergarments and beauty products found in the pages of these consumer-culture wishbooks.



However, at the age of 16, Rich's mother was diagnosed with cancer, forcing Rich to deal with issues much heavier than flirting, dating, using make-up, being stylish and girly. "After my mother died, I had to learn the girly stuff on my own. I did this by looking at magazines, TV and mimicking other girls. That is what this show is about; trying on and shedding identities until it feels right, trying to be normal and to fit in by buying the 'right' products or being the 'right' type of person and then finding out how unsatisfying and ridiculous it all is, " states Rich.

Freedomwig: One Painting A Day by Martha Rich, which would have ended on October 31, has been extended exclusively for the La Luz de Jesus exhibit. You can also view her One Painting A Day (below) on her Freedomwig site and read more about her on her blog. Go check it out. And maybe wear a wig, just for fun. Wigs are good. Wigs make me smile. So does Martha.