42
2.2003
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In a new exhibit at Scandals, Michael “Misha” Kennedy
paints more than a pretty face
that you don *t have to cook.
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T im o t h y K r a u s e
ichael Kennedy may
he more familiar for
his impressions of
Misha than Monet,
hut give this drag queen a
paintbrush and he’ll show
you all shades of pretty.
Spring Folly, his first
exhibit in 15 years, will he
on display all month long at
the Scandals Other Side
Gallery.
“Art has always played a
part of my life, whether it’s
been on my face or on the
canvas or on the stage. I
don’t think that’s going to
change,” says Kennedy,
assuring that Michael’s pig
ments won’t replace Misha’s
performances.
Kennedy studied fine
and applied arts while
attending University of
Oregon. But when he began
to build a successful drag
career in Portland, his work
in the visual arts had to
take a hack seat. Now
returning to the easel with a “Dandelions” (below) is Kennedy’s favorite piece, but we think
“Asian Carnival” hits a little closer to home
renewed passion for paint
ing, he hopes this new
exhibit will relaunch his
artistic career.
“I painted one, and that
opened the floodgates. It
just came pouring out,”
Kennedy remarks. “All the
things I’ve experienced
over the years of my life
have really made a remark
able difference in my
work.”
Which is to say his
work has made a long
journey from the once-
restrained pastels he creat
ed while in Eugene. His
work has matured, just as
he has, to the point where
he feels a freedom of
expression.
total of 15 acrylic pieces comprise Spring
“I think that’s the joy in being a queer
Folly, which presents a variety of still life,
artist—that we know who we are,” Kennedy
f i . pastoral landscapes and nature images,
observes. “We’re often unbridled spirits, and
many that hold subtle surprises upon closer
we portray that in our art.”
inspection.
“I think my exhibit is very
d playful. It’s lively,” says Kennedy.
3 “That’s why I named it Spring
Folly. There are lots of elements
of life in my work."
A landscape called “Dande
lions" is his personal favorite, one
he notes was inspired by classic
impressionists. A peaceful mix of
spring colors draws the viewer in
deep toward the horizon and
then hack to the flowers in the
foreground. Kennedy’s seemingly
contradictive calm use of bright
colors spurs reflection on equally
contradictive elements of dis
tance and immediacy.
Kennedy often chooses simply
When Michael Kennedy isn’t painting his face, he’s
to paint things he loves, such as
painting his world on canvas
the cheeky green apples of
a ;