Super Psychosomatic Sugar Baby
Super Psychosomatic Sugar Baby offers a satirical look at glutton and greed in a way that is adorably ferocious.
First created in 2018, Super Psychosomatic Sugar Baby 2022 is an elevation of the original drawing done in graphite on paper.
Two giant hands leap to the sky in an unanswered prayer for the sweets that never fall into their waiting grasp. A deviously smiling chunk of chocolate floats between the center of the hands as pink slime oozes downward. Nondescript mint green candies and delicate candy canes descend from the sky. Little humanoids greedily feast on the “flesh” of the chocolate.
I fell in love with the softly radiating pastels. The colors perpetuated an underlining sweetness. After I added the posterize effect, I could not resist the vibrant colors that popped off of the screen. The gradients that the posterize effect created added an element of delineation. I was fascinated with how the drawing suddenly glowed and dripped like melting candy.
Originally I wanted to color the image in pastels.
My mom inspired the name for this piece.
When I showed this piece to my mom, I asked for her thoughts. I wondered what themes she observed. She postulated. Then spoke about greed and gluttony. I felt proud because the punchy, powerful colors did not overshadow the theme. I pointed towards the open and waiting hands, nearly grasping but always missing the candy falling from the sky. I zoomed in on the tiny people gorging themselves with chocolate. After that, I asked what I should name this piece. My mom said, "I don't know. Sugar baby?" I took that idea and ran with it. I wanted the title to be an alliteration, and I wanted it to be personal. I thought back to my own follies. Often I find myself seeking comfort in food when I am bored or sad. That is why I choose the off-kilter name Super Psychomatic Sugar Baby.
Orginal sketch
Medium: Graphite on paper
I used my hands as models for the hands depicted in this piece. I like the contrast between the natural fluidity of my hands and the precise straight lines of the chocolate.
