Capturing the Queen of the Quinns

Back in March, I began constructing a costume which I was creating for Joan Agajanian Quinn. You can read all about the process and construction of the garment here. A few weeks ago I photographed her in that costume. The moment we put the hat on it screamed baker but I knew the final results would elevate it to Queen Nefertiti's headdress!

With images of Joan shot by Hurrell, Mapplethorpe and Rolston in the back of my mind and elements of my recent Paper Ballet series draped on her shoulders, I approached how I wanted to craft my own image of Joan by tipping my hat to those who captured her likeness before me while at the same time conveying my own style and approach to portraiture.

When I went to go to visit Joan the other day she asked why it was taking so long to create the image. Part of it is due to working for Picassso full time and the other half is due to the process I chose to use. Hand "painting" the photograph took several weeks to complete but in the end I am please with the results.

Matt Tierney recently referred to her as a modern day Gertrude Stein. I would have to agree that Joan Quinn is indeed an essential element in our Southern California Art scene.

Julie Green
July 11, 2015