Anna May Wong
Wanda Mankiller
Chien-Shiung Wu
Ellen Ochoa
Hung Liu
Simone Veil
Selena
Junko Tabei
Barbara Jordan
Barbara McClintock
Elizabeth Blackwell
Emma Watson
Frida Kahlo
Florence Nightingale
Gloria Steinem
Harriet Tubman
Hillary Rodham Clinton
Indira Gandhi
Jane Goodall
Julia Child
Maya Angelou
Ruth Bader Ginsburg
Lee Krasner
Lucille Ball
Maria Tallchief
Marie Curie
Georgia O'Keeffe
Mary Leakey
Mary Oliver
Queen Elizabeth
Malala
Mother Teresa
Rosa Parks
Rachel Carson
Lady Diana
Eleanor Roosevelt
Yoko Ono
Lady Bird Johnson
Ann Richards
Billie Holiday
Oil on canvas, 8 x 10"
Artist's Statement
This journey starts as a benchmark for me to paint 50 women before I turn 50. At the beginning, I wanted to focus on portraits and painted my foremothers. In January 2017, after expanding to a few famous, accomplished women, I gained momentum. I kept painting, researching, absorbing, and reflecting women’s faces onto canvas. I channeled all my energy, my discipline, and my desire to learn, strive, and achieve into the project. I reflected on areas of accomplishment and women from around the world. Fleshing out categories, I met my goal of 50 well before my fiftieth birthday and continued until I surpassed 100 badass women.
These are portraits of women who faced formidable obstacles, challenged the status quo, broke through racial and gender barriers, and made lasting reforms. These women ushered in cultural revolutions, prosperity, and important legislation. These women provided leadership, influenced culture, and made incredible contributions. This body of work commemorates activists, artists, educators, humanitarians, scientists, politicians, actors, athletes, and leaders in an array of fields. All are women who elevate, stimulate, agitate, and inspire!
My artistic process for each portrait was similar. I culled through photos until I found “the one” that captured the subject’s essence and delved into her life. I strived to portray her verve along with her image by employing color, flourish, nuance, and unexpected hues and brushstrokes. I used oil paint on 8 x 10-inch canvases. While painting each woman, I felt a powerful connection to her and her story.
During my journey, I examined my own notions of feminism, female imagery, the meaning of colors, and artistic expression. I envisioned my daughter’s generation getting to know their foremothers. I dreamed of my portraits being catalysts for viewers to acknowledge the badass qualities in those around them and themselves.
My journey has been one of exploration, inspiration, creative expression and collaboration. Here’s to remarkable, badass women! Let the dialogue and tribute continue!
Valerie Guth Boyd, June 2020
To purchase high-quality reproductions of Badass Women portraits inquire below. Different sizes and formats (stretched canvas, di-bond, wood, etc.) are available.
Thank you!