Masks Are Fashion, Masks Are Heroic - Zatanna
This is the 13th entry that I've posted in the series featuring "red carpet" takes on superheroes in costume with masks to promote the pro-social & pro-health practice of mask wearing during a pandemic.
Zatanna is a powerful magic wielding member of the Justice League, currently operating in the magaical division known as Justice League Dark. She was raised by her father, Giovanni 'John' Zatara, a stage magician who actually performed real feats of magic. Her mother was named Sindella, and was from a race of magical humans called Homo Magi, which totally sounds like the name of a bar for gay witches. Since DC Comics hates it when women have a relationship with their mothers if their name isn't Wonder Woman, Sindella faked her death to leave her daughter and husband to go live with the Homo Magi again. (Insert eye roll here.) Zatanna, like her father, is a stage illusionist who usues actual magic. She usually performs spells by saying the words backward (phoenetically, not backwards sentence word order). He stage outfit is usually similar to a stage magician's outfit, a tuxedo (often with a top hat) but substituting fishnet stockings for a pair of slacks. In recet years, her costume has been less formal, and consisting of things like pleather pants, a boustier, and a trenchcoat with some fishnet gloves. Also exciting, the recently announced plans to make a Zatanna solo movie. My hope is that it will rely heavily on the 2003 graphic novel Zatanna: Everyday Magic.
For this design, I wanted to allude to elements of a tuxedo, but instead of short shorts, to include a skirt to dress it up. The skirt shape is inspired by the silhouette of the skirt that RuPaul wore in the Supermodel music video and maxi single cover. And while the tuxedo/fishnets costume is more most well-known look, I've always been a fan of George Perez's "superhero sorceress" costume from the 1980's that was blue, white, and black with red accessory elements. I've borrowed elements from that look to include in this one. For this design, I wanted the boustier to allude to a tuxedo shirt.
Thank you for taking the time to experience this piece.
"Masks Are Fashion, Masks Are Heroic - Zatanna" by Kevenn T. Smith
Pencil, Ink, Photoshop
©2021 Kevenn T. Smith
Zatanna ©DC Comics
Triple Goddess' Blessing by Kevenn T. Smith
This piece is very special to me. I had previously done a piece of the Triple Moon Goddesses, but as explained before, I had been asked to keep it an exclusive piece, which I continue to honor. In the meantime, I've had several inquiries about selling prints of that piece, and I knew I would need to re-visit that subject again. Along came last year's Winter Solstice, and I really felt like it was time to have a go again - once again as gift material - but also this time using techniques that I've developed in my work since then. The original piece was hand colored with Prismacolor pencils and tempera paint. This new version is hand drawn and inked, but colored digitally.
As I worked on this piece, one piece of music that I played on heavy rotation for inspiration was a beautfiul song by the amazing and incredible independent singer and songwriter, Casey Stratton, entitled "The Maiden, The Mother and The Crone," from his fantastic 2009 Holiday album, A Winter Moon, which is available for download purchase and free sampling at his website. I think the mood and timbre of his song really helped me capture the magic I wanted to instill in this piece.
I also really wanted the colors of this piece to be vibrant and really reflect the essences of these Goddesses, as well as weave a mysterious and mystical mood that inspires, comforts, and soothes the soul.
This piece is available for purchase as greeting cards, post cards, prints, and posters at my Redbubble.com store. The piece is also available directly from me as an 11" by 14" print on metallic photo paper via the "Contact Me" form at the top-left of this page to request that specific print directly from me for $40 + Shipping, which includes Priority Mail & Tracking.
©Kevenn T. Smith 2013