Madonna Yellow (2000) painting by Chris Shaw

Acrylic on Panel

This classic Naked Madonna’s composition is based on a Masonic compass and square, while the figure is a loose portrait.  Most of the Madonnas in this series were loose portraits of anonymous women in cafes, drawn while I toured Europe doing poster shows.  The halo is a 24 karat base, which was intentionally cracked with patina added.  The figure’s body is created with thick layers of acrylic paint which gives the piece a subtle three-dimensional feel.