"'M' and the Kazama Kimono"

16x12" Oil on Linen

© Vicki Ross

If this wedding kimono could speak...my imagination would be overwhelmed. Randy's mother, Teiko, kept this safe and secure until she handed it down to Randy. It was her sister's wedding outfit...complete with the matching obi, purse, hair ornament, fan, and split toe socks. The undergarment, apparently worn for the ceremony was all white. This was worn for the festivities. 

The model happened to be available during a more formal sitting, and I snapped a few pics. She is of an age where life changes happen and sometimes represent a pensive look to the past. This is why I had her looking to the left.

I hope to have other models pose in this kimono. I'm currently practicing with a complete underpainting...'Grasaille' in French means greys; 'Verdaccio' in Italian means greens. 

A slideshow of my process is below: (and I've never had so much trouble getting a slideshow put together until this week! Seems like every time I do something, it is totally different)