Meet Blanche, a girl for the New Gilded Age. She's a happy nihilist and with one foot gingerly in the other reality, she does have a genuine claim to nihilism's deeper philosophical origins; she's got the goods, all the receipts as they say these days. As you might notice from her portrait she has roots in the previous Gilded Age. Nothing like unbridled accumulation and wealth disparity to make for interesting times and delicate dresses.

The series was started in 2023, more as a dig at economics and culture. The last portrait (chronologically) was completed in late 2024; it's the one where she is all dressed up for the US presidential inauguration. I had no idea she would be so appropriate for what was to come.

All paintings are acrylic on canvas

Blanche, "the loveliness and purity of thin white girls..."

Blanche of an afternoon 24" x 34"

Blanche dressed up for the inauguration 34" x 54"

Blanche with fireplace 32" x 48"

Blanche deeply pensive 36" x 44"

Blanche contemplating light on a flower 48" x 36"

Blanche boldly relaxing 32" x 50"