Stasha Dean in ‘Giant’ 2013

Felice House’s painting, "Stasha Dean in ‘Giant’", presents a contemporary female figure in a style reminiscent of classic American portraiture. The oil paint is applied with visible brushstrokes. The composition balances the figure against the hard lines of the car, creating a visual dialogue between the organic and the mechanical. Note how the soft, diffused light of the sky contrasts with the more defined shadows across the car. House subtly subverts traditional gender roles. The woman stands confidently in traditionally masculine attire. She is holding a rifle, leaning casually against the car. This challenges fixed notions of femininity. The overall effect is a study in contrasts, not just in light and shadow, but also in the themes it explores. It invites us to reconsider the visual codes through which we interpret identity and representation in art.