Rapping with Isabel Samaras

We enticed Isabel Samaras with chocolate away from her painting to answer some burning questions about her work, process, influences and how the past, present and alternate dimensions come together to create new narratives for old characters.  Isabel, represented by Varnish Fine Art, is best known for lush and meticulously painted riffs on Old Masters that send up pop culture and classic fables. Her subjects are tender, witty, and mysterious painted narratives that are classical in technique and pop in content. Her ribald images are interwoven with references to classic horror movies, ancient mythology, hip-hop music, and childhood fairy tales. Magical realism and the forbidden fantasies of fabled characters present a world where elusive desires become reality and ill-fated journeys turn into enchanted honeymoons.