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Glutton


Graphite on Paper

I decided to place a wolf’s head on the body because ‘glutton’ can also mean ‘wolverine’, named after the Gulo Gulo of Europe.

Thanks so much to Steph for the word as well as the research behind it.

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Frottage (Female Flesh)


Digital Illustration

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Frottage:

1.a technique in the visual arts of obtaining textural effects or images by rubbing lead, chalk, charcoal, etc., over paper laid on a granular or relieflike surface.

2.the practice of getting sexual stimulation and satisfaction by rubbing against something, esp. another person

Thanks for the word Segel!

epileptic

Epileptic


Digital illustration

Thank you to Nikki for the word.. I drew up an epileptic girl, her body overcome by seizures caused by her brain. She clenches her little fists in frustration as explosions go off in her head. I wanted the background to be representational of neuron forms..

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Deserted

A woman rolled out of bed and landed in the desert. The air was hot and dry, and her throat stung with dehydration. The fiery sand stabbed at her like needles beneath her feet. Tiny grains weasled their way into her mouth, burning cavities in the enamel. Her head pulsated with the symptoms of a hangover and the pounding electrobeats of the night before. With only half a bottle of water in her satchel, she began her way down the desert path. She could have retraced the steps back to her mattress, but she was too far along down the dune now to remember that she had one. Two hours passed, and like a robust angel, a portly man driving an ATV crossed the horizon to holler at her. She looked at him without a word. “You are nowhere near where you need to be!” he yelled, and sped off, laughing maniacally. She tried to curse back, but the sand had filled her lungs and began overflowing out her mouth. With heavy disappointment, she stopped in her tracks. Everything had been in vain. She began to dig a ditch in the ground with her now empty water bottle. She laid in the ditch, and fell into a deep sleep, patiently waiting for the next scene to arrive.

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Defenestrate, Delusional, Deranged


Five Ways to Exit a Window (Defenestrate, Deranged, Delusional)
photo collage, acrylic, ink on paper
7″x11″

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Once upon a time, a man lost his mind.
He threw himself out a window because he thought he could fly.

That’s pretty much the story behind this one. I imagined someone being really disillusioned and just losing it; the illustration literally expresses his “downward spiral”. Although the act itself is pretty violent, I was fascinated by the different ways that the human body could fall through the air. It’s so unnatural for us to not be on the ground, and to see a person above your head free falling 10 feet above you is just not a normal sight. Gravity is crazy.

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Control


Digital illustration

This time I used two words: “constant” and “control”. At first glance it may look more like ‘Chaos’. That’s because when I thought of ‘control’, I thought of my fear for the lack of it. I’m the kind of person that needs to have everything in control, and in every sense of the word–physically, mentally, emotionally. I need to have everything laid out, planned out, and writing to-do lists are a constant habit. My mind goes everywhere at once; Rational thinking keeps me in constant control, and I truly envy and admire free-spirited people who don’t feel limited by social constructs and convention.

The image is a photo collage of security cameras, which are meant to keep everything in control. They function to watch over specific areas, to avoid problems and tresspassers. Being under constant surveillance (or constantly surveying) could create much more anxiety than comfort, like their functions would suggest.

Thanks to Christina and my cousin Eric for giving me the word. :)

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Ambiguity


Acrylic and spraypaint on paper

She could either be a woman covered in a veil, or simply the wrinkled form in your bedsheets.

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Process: Dragon Lady & Lotus Blossom


Lotus Blossom
Acrylic on wood

Lotus Blossom and Dragon Lady were created for a show titled ‘Virgin, Mother, Slut’ in honor of Women’s History Month (March 2008)–The theme touches upon the three main female stereotypes of women in the media. As a Filipino-American woman, I decided to paint my own take on the Asian Female stereotypes in America as presented by the media: The Dragon Lady and The Lotus Blossom.

There are two main stereotypes of Asian women in America. One is of the ‘Dragon Lady’, an Asian woman of exotic beauty, who is scheming, calculating, catty, sneaky, hypersexual, back-stabbing, and untrustworthy. Next you’ve got ‘the Lotus Blossom’, the quiet, silent, submissive Asian girl, passive, eager to please, and prudent. Over time this stereotype evolved into that of the ‘Model Minority’… the straight A overachiever, obedient to the wishes of her parents…both types are silent in different ways. I used my own face for these paintings because I’ve been personally subject to both of these stereotypes. And of course, neither stereotype fits who I really am.

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Word Index

Word illustrations since July 16, 2007

  • bothered

View more work at my online portfolio: http://www.AllisonTorneros.com

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FAQ

Read my bio and the concept behind PaintByWord here.

How can i get involved?

You can send your words (or questions, comments, etc.) to atorneros@gmail.com.

What materials do you use?

It varies. Graphite, colored pencil, acrylic, oil, spraypaint, ink, resin, paper, wood, plexiglass, Adobe Photoshop, Illustrator, and my trusty Wacom Cintiq.

Are you selling your art?

Yes. For original artwork, email me for a price sheet and to see what’s available. Newly released prints will be available for direct purchase through this site.

Commissions?

I do accept commissioned work for the right project. Email me for more information.

I would like to invite you to participate in an exhibition. How can I get a hold of you?

Atorneros@gmail.com

I’m writing a paper about you for my class. Can I ask you a few questions?

Send your questions to atorneros@gmail.com, but I can’t guarantee that I’ll respond in a timely manner before your paper is due! Your best bet is to ask me things that don’t require a long answer.

Do you have your artwork on stuff like t-shirts? If so where can I buy?

Soon enough you’ll be able to buy t-shirts, prints, and other art goods through my online store. Not right now though–But when they’re available I’ll announce it here on PBW.

How can i contact you?

The best way is through email. Atorneros@gmail.com

I have a great word for you. Can you illustrate it?

I get hundreds of words sent to me, and while I’d love to choose yours, I only pick the ones that stick out to me the most.

Can you design my tattoo?

No. Sorry! Too much pressure.

Find out more at my online portfolio: http://www.AllisonTorneros.com