Mandolisa & The Guardian - PRINT in Reclaimed Folding Portrait Frame, brass

"Ode to Bo-Katan Kryze : Mandolisa"

When I found this print on board, I knew exactly what I wanted to do with it.

It’s been so fun watching The Mandalorian with my kids, and I felt inspired to celebrate legend of the Heiress with this piece. Adding Bo-Katan’s helmet to the Mona Lisa is a nod at that imagined history of her rule over Mandalore. (I loved seeing Katee Sakhoff playing Bo-Katan… she’s been my fav scifi actor since she played Starbuck!)

This print on textured board was in very good condition. It’s funny, even though it was a print, I felt hesitant painting on top of the Mona Lisa’s face! 

This replica of Vinci’s masterpiece was a pleasure to work on, and I was careful to line up the visor so the Mona Lisa can see through the helmet… because now that she has put on the helmet, she will not remove it in the presence of others. This is the way.

The whole concept of never removing one’s helmet, and the mystery of what those characters looked like was so intriguing. By adding the helmet to the Mona Lisa, who is probably the most recognizable face in the world, makes you wonder… is she smiling behind her helmet?

“The Guardian”

When I came across this vintage oil painting, I knew this little girl needed a guardian. A reprogrammed assassin droid seemed like the perfect choice as protector, a balance of sweet and sinister.

I love thinking of irritable K-2SO walking along the beach with this little girl, criticizing her choice in seashells, complaining about sand in his gears. I wonder what they are thinking as they look on the satellite tower on Scarif.  

The original vintage painting by K. Scheffer was collected locally. It was in very condition, its only fault being it has fallen “out of vogue” and was unwanted. This is the sort of work I really love to give a new life to, bridging the space between modern pop culture and traditional art styles.