Alyssa Denis
The Mona Lizard, 2020, 12 x 16 inches, Acrylic paint on canvas
My artwork puts a fun twist on famous works of art throughout history. I typically come up with titles for my pieces first and then create my work based off of the idea in that title. My pets are my muses and inspiration for most of my creations and I often reference them throughout my work. These pieces have been a part of my first big project, one that I brainstormed while bleaching out a refrigerator in my junior year of high school. All of the pieces were drawn previously using copic markers and colored pencils on paper, but I decided to replicate and revamp them using acrylic paint on canvas.
One of the pieces in my series is The Mona lizard, which is very dear to my heart. It is a personification of my bearded dragon, Loki, who just recently passed away during quarantine. My current reality is life without Loki and this piece is a reflection of that. I can look at my piece and remember him modeling for it as if it were yesterday. Combining my infamous Loki with the famous painting of the Mona Lisa, is something that will immortalize him forever in a piece that will make people smile. That is my goal with my other pieces in this series as well, I want them to leave a great lasting impression.
Platypus with a Pearl Earring, 2020, 12 x 16 inches, Acrylic paint on canvas
Vincent van Goldfish, 2020, 12 x 16 inches, Acrylic paint on canvas
Ermine with an Ermine, 2020, 12 x 16 inches, Acrylic paint on canvas
