Deep reds and velvet-like textures set the stage. The atmosphere is unmistakably theatrical — a figure suspended in that in-between moment, somewhere between waiting in the wings and stepping into the spotlight.

Is she stealing a quiet breath before the doors open for the matinee? That question is part of the piece. There’s intentional drama here, a tension between the opulence of the setting and the layered character she’s preparing to become. Like the rest of the series, the surface is built, not simply painted — assembled in layers that reveal themselves the longer you look.

This work is part of my Opulent Whimsy Series. Inspired by the imaginative window displays of Brown Thomas Department Stores in Dublin, the Opulent Whimsy series celebrates the theatrical elegance of fashion, fantasy, and façade. Each piece is constructed from quilting fabrics, tissue paper, magazine imagery, handcrafted papers, and acrylic paint — layered to build texture, shimmer, and dimensional depth.

What looks painted at first glance is often assembled instead: stitched, torn, collaged, and gilded. These figures live somewhere between mannequin and muse — playful, feminine, and a little surreal. Opulent Whimsy is my love letter to three-dimensional display, and to the joy of making something beautifully over-the-top on purpose.

Details

• Medium: Mixed media, collage

• Surface: Watercolour paper (mounted)

• Size: 14 x 11 in

• Framing: Framed (overall framed size 18 x 22 in)

• Includes: Certificate of Authenticity

• Shipping: Free shipping in Canada. U.S. flat rate calculated at checkout. International shipping by quote (please contact for rates).