The subject of my paper is a painting called "Portrait of the Artist as the Virgin of Guadalupe" by Yolanda Lopez. In her artwork Yolanda Lopez is giving us a statement, that she has overcome dependencies of the past; she has become strong, fearless, emancipated, and does so by comparison of herself and the Virgin of Guadalupe painting. The message says that women are not inferior to men that they can find their happiness and freedom if they try. The running woman on Lopez's drawing, in my opinion, is to be an artist herself, not only because of the title "Our Lady of Guadalupe: Portrait of the Artist as the Virgin of Guadalupe", but also of imagination and characteristic attributes. .
When viewing the picture it seems that she is running forward. It seems that she has defeated some kind of laws or limitations and now she won the battle. There is a large blue oval behind her with gleaming rays coming out from the center of the oval. I view that oval as a symbol of salvation and safeness. Because of this iconic background it makes me want to trust and believe her. The pink dress with a black belt around her waist makes her look more feminine. Dark - blue cloak with yellow stars over her shoulder, just like the real Virgin of Guadalupe has over her head, shows that Yolanda has conquered the superstitions and she does not have to cover her head any longer. There is an iconic background behind the woman. Yellow rays are drawn on a grayish-blue surface of the "icon" which represents the light that she has discovered in her life by being free and independent. They remind me of sunshine, which usually makes people relaxed and comfortable. The woman on the picture is running, and in her movements she seems to be very strong and masculine. She has a big smile, her hair fluttering all over her head, her shoulders are wide and her arms and legs are very strongly built. .
Lopez is showing us her power, her happiness, her strength.