"C.........t." Self portrait of an artist

Karen Strang’s showed me her latest self-portrait and my immediate reaction was:
“Well, it’s not exactly flattering is it?”
“I don’t do pretty,” she said.
 
It takes a certain artistic ruthlessness, and integrity, to go beneath the surface and reveal the true person.  But then this painting is not in the strict sense intended as a self –portrait, more an exploring what it means to be a woman, and a certain kind of woman.
This is revealed in the title:"Cunt."
Karen explains:" The title may appear to be pejorative and abusive until  you realise it is about reclaiming offensive labels."
 
Further along the corridor in Marcelle House studios another artist was quietly working away for the forthcoming Open Studios.
 
Gilly Semple (see extra photo) was busy making decorative tiles.
 
Like many artists she raids charity shops for old picture frames, which she then re-cycles. Recently she bought twenty such frames for £15.
 
   
Both Karen and Gill, two very different artists, will be among those opening their studios in Marcelle House, Alloa, during next month’s Forth Valley Open Studios.