Leslie DuPratt

For my show "Playing Dress Up" I use my vintage collection of dresses and furniture to create other worldly compositions. In "After Midnight" Kim holding a raven, wears a 1920's evening dress and gothic rooster feathered capulet and leather crown next to 1918 clock. This scene is a bit reminiscent of "Sleeping Beauty" Maleficent.

My painting “Coffee With Frida”, The narrative of the show stems from my vintage collection of clothing, objects and furniture from the 1900’s to 80’s. My models are young women friends who I have selected to portray different muses in the arts. Frida Kahlo is one of the most recognized female artists of the 20th century. I decided to portray her non conventional, adventurous spirit in an aerial composition; with the model laying on oriental carpet surrounded by antique porcelain china and silverware. She wears a 1930’s kimono, something I feel would have met with Frida’s approval.

"Edge Of Winter" my interpretation of what a Winter Goddess would look like. Emerging from the forest she wears an antique wedding kimono and a Sioux head piece, Navajo earrings, and 1990's lace maxi dress from Meghan Fabulous.

Artemisa Gentileschi (1593-1656) was a famous Baroque painter. Known for paintings of strong women from myths, allegories and biblical stories. "Judith Slaying Holofernes' (1610) which I saw at the Uffizi Gallery, Florence, Italy. Shows how Artemisa was unique in her interpretation of females as strong individuals, rather than fragile or seductive as many male artist portrayed Judith. My "For Artemisia Gentileschi" Is a Death Fairy or angel carving a Halloween Pumpkin. I didn't want to show decapitation, but symbolism. Her strong arm holds a knife pointing to a carved pumpkin with her leg resting bent upon large pumpkin which could have been interpreted as holding head by hair and foot on torso of Holofernes. The dress is an 1950's tulle evening dress with antique Japanese Obi.

"Holly Golightly" Audrey Hepburn in "Breakfast At Tiffany's" 1961 is one of my favorite movies. I placed Ashley in a 1960's Lavin dress complete with 60's cigarette holder sitting in 1960's "Womb" chair in field of sunflowers.

"Pensive Frida" One of the most recognizable female artist of our time and my inspiration. Carlyn wears a 1930's kimono and antique Navajo earrings, holding an antique Spanish fan. In all of the photos I've seen of Frida she rarely smiled and seemed to be deep thought.

"Safe" is about how I felt at my grandmothers house and where I was free to be my most expressive making costumes and playing make-believe. I see myself as the Jackrabbit safe in the arms of Winter Goddess. The perimeter of painting is left empty and unknown representing how, as a child, I felt about the big world.

"Stalking Beauty" is about how society is fascinated with Instagram. Millions of people follow beautiful models going about everyday activities. Here I have placed Hanna in a vintage 1990's hippie dress from Meghan Fabulous wearing fairy wings; sitting at 1900's vanity stirring her tea in a magical forest. We look at her, and she looks back at us confidently.

"Summer Time" Is about warm days taking time to care for growing things. Meghan as a Summer nymph, wears a 50's tulle gown from vintage designer Sylvia Ann. Her beautiful copper/red hair and purple dress make it magical.

"Sweet Dreams" The lyrics to "Eurythmics" "Sweet Dreams" are made of these...was playing in my head when I painted this self-portrait. Portraying a housewife dreaming of better days wearing a 50's cocktail dress applying lipstick thinking of being anywhere except a laundromat. Only the little chalk drawing of Edward Munch (1893) "The Scream" understands this confession.

"Sweet Violin" My youngest model Daisy 14 yrs old. Portrays the "Nymph of Music" wearing a Sylvia Ann 50's vintage tulle dress. She attracts Swallowtail Butterflies to her sweet music. It was difficult to find a model to fit this gown as the wearer had to have a 22" waist and be 5' 10".

"Thats What These Are For" is my statement piece of the show. It's about breastfeeding and how mothers are made to feel uncomfortable about nurturing their babies in public. It seems breastfeeding has become as taboo as drinking hard liquor, smoking or wearing a mink coat. Society's harsh judgement of the unacceptable, equally attacks the most natural thing women are created for (breastfeeding). Here Sam wears an 1980's Aaliyah dress and Lanvin Spiked High-heels. Her expression is priceless "what you lookin at".