THEY WERE SALTY

This illustration is actually an update to an image I created almost a decade ago. At the time, I called the piece “Rear View Mirror,” and it had to do with ideas of self-critique and the pressures of bodily perfection. It’s such a fucking relief to consider how much I’ve grown from that point into greater love for and comfort in my body. Sheesh. When I stumbled on the piece in my files recently, I knew I wanted to use it as the basis for experimentation with a few different illustration styles I’ve been playing with, including this halftone comic strip style. (This update also reflects the subject’s updated physique. LOL!) I’ve since rendered it in pastel textures, which I like. But I really enjoy this version, considering its New Yorker magazine cartoon styling encourages the addition of a comedic quip, which is my favorite thing to do — both in art and real life.

Because what do we really know about Lot’s wife? They didn’t even put respect on her name by telling us her actual name! Sheeeeit. Misogyny has always warped the telling of history, particularly if the woman in the story was possessed of powers of intellect, beauty, or in “Lot’s wife’s” case, simple curiosity. I bet she had all three and more. After all, they wrote a whole story in the Bible gossiping about her downfall. In this illustration, Lot’s wife gets some redemption from the wrath of her haters.