Emily Eveleth (Artist)

Whenever I think of doughnuts, I usually think about the waxy chocolate Entenmann's doughnuts that my parents would sometimes buy for us on Sunday mornings. I would put them in the microwave and watch the chocolate coating turn liquidy and then eat them while they were warm and slightly mushy. Like a lot of people, I associate donuts with childhood and feelings of comfort and joy. Normally, they do not make me think about sex, but that all changed once I saw the paintings of today's contributor, painter Emily Eveleth!

There is nothing innocent or ordinary about the doughnuts in Emily's world. She imbues them with so much personality and sensuality that you become convinced you're looking at an erotic encounter between two human beings, when, really, the only thing on the canvas is fried dough. I don't like to compare artists, but, in this respect, Emily's work reminds me a lot of Georgia O'Keeffe's flower paintings. In some ways, what Emily is doing is even more extraordinary because a flower is sexual, even if we don't usually think of it those terms, but Emily's paintings completely transform the way we look at doughnuts, allowing us to project our own ideas about sexuality onto our favorite breakfast treats.

One of the things I love so much about Emily's work is that you're not quite sure whether you're looking at a still life or a portrait! Really, the pieces work on both levels, managing to be both playful and humorous, sensual and visceral, all at once. You can see more of Emily's work on her website and on Instagram. Scroll down to read all about her inspirations. Thanks, Emily! ~Erin

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