Original Oil Painting of Michelle Obama from "Inspirational Women" series by Robbie Conal.

40" x 32", oil paint on archival illustration board.

After so many years of painting bad guys, my wife Deb Ross suggested I try painting something absolutely positive, like women who's lives and work have inspired me. I can't believe it took me so long, but it's become a kind of an antidote to all the bad vibes and PTSD I've built up in my psyche over the last several decades of looking at the monsters I've painted. Who wouldn't be inspired by Michelle, and/or energized by AOC, Toni Morrison, Maya Angelou, and Greta Thunberg?

Also, painting portraits of people I admire requires a completely different technique, than the admittedly cathartic globs of paint I throw at the bad guys. This form of painting is gentle, careful, almost caressive. These paintings are made with honor and love. I know. Kind of weird coming from me. But honestly, quite a relief. Hope you enjoy seeing them, as much as I have enjoyed painting them.

~ Robbie Conal

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