"CLUB KID"
2024
acrylic paint, glitter
36 in x 24 in
$3000

ARTIST BIO:
Liv Cook is a 21-year-old portrait artist and self-taugh't painter based in South Florida. Originally from Pittsburgh, PA, she practiced various forms of art throughout her childhood and attended a classical ballet school for 13 years, during which Liv developed an immense appreciation for the utilization of the human body to express ideas beyond verbal articulation. From 2015 to 2018, Liv attended the Pittsburgh Creative and Performing Arts School, where she majored in Visual Arts, furthering her technical skills as an artist and beginning her introduction to art at a professional level.

Her current body of work focuses on large-scale, realistic portraits, typically set against solid backgrounds with additional elements layered on top. She uses acrylics for the primary composition and incorporates materials like glitter and oil paint for added detail and textural variety. She often refers back to her makeup artistry skills to develop ideas for portraits as well as to create makeup looks for the paintings, drawing connections between the 2D and 3D in an effort to compose a universe for her art to inhabit. The initial pieces were self-portraits, forcing Liv to directly address herself both internally and externally. Her process has become a meditative introspection, examining the themes she is naturally attracted to and her ability to express them authentically.

ARTIST STATEMENT:
My work focuses on large-scale, realistic portraits painted with acrylics against solid backgrounds. Each portrait starts with a detailed rendering of the face, which I then enhance with layers of makeup, accessories, and textures using glitter, oil paint, and acrylics. These added elements create a contrast with the realism of the face, introducing an abstract quality that reflects individuality, transformation, and self-expression.

Texture is a vital component of my practice. I have begun priming each canvas with a base texture, allowing the tactile qualities of the piece to emerge as I layer on different materials. This variation in texture creates a multi-dimensional experience that can only be fully appreciated in person and is impossible to replicate in the digital realm. There is a physicality to the paintings that demands attention and presence. The texture allows my pieces to occupy space in a room, embodying the unapologetic self-expression I strive to convey. My portraits are not meant to be passive or easily overlooked; they are designed to have a significant physical and conceptual presence.

At the core of my practice is a celebration of individuality and nonconformity. Drawing inspiration from queer expression and the fluidity of gender, I aim to challenge societal norms and redefine beauty. Each portrait reflects my belief that true beauty lies in the freedom to exist authentically, beyond constraints and expectations. I want my audience to see themselves in my work-not as they are told to be, but as they truly are.

Creating these portraits has been a deeply personal journey of self-discovery. With each piece, I find that my art authentically reflects who I am. By embracing the unfiltered expression of my inner world through my art, I have come to appreciate my own beauty, both inside and out. The process of creation has become a form of self-acceptance, and my growing confidence as an artist parallels my increasing sense of self-love.

What began as an intuitive exploration of my creative voice has evolved into a more intentional practice. As I continue to grow, both as an artist and as an individual, each piece reveals more about my journey. Creating these portraits has empowered me to embrace my uniqueness and has allowed me to share that celebration of individuality with others.

CONTACT THE ARTIST:
[email protected]
412.996.2560
IG: livcooked