(above) In a beaded, mardi-gras style mask,
Gina works on a charcoal drawing of a masked
figure at the Valentine's Masquerade Ball
(La Soiree Restuarant in St. George, Utah.
February 14, 2006)
Behind the Masks...
Masks are another subject matter Gina likes to return to periodically.
They are a facinating study of human nature: our practice of putting on masks for different environments, to be around
different people, to impress, intrigue, hide.....
Jrel studied African art in college and has a particular love for the characteristics and perceived supernatural functions
of african masks.
Masks pop up in Jrel's paintings when one of two things is going on in her life: Either she is finding herself forced
to wear a "mask" for some circumstance, and the inner struggle is creating conflict.
Or, she is dealing with people that she perceives to be two-faced or false fronted. A bitter duality she senses, or the
gossip and back biting that usually accompanies this two-faced situation, usually leaves Jrel with brewing feelings that need
to be projected outside herself.
She uses the mask paintings to project and resolve these feelings.
