#model american

Day 122: It may come as a surprise, (given I only upload drawings to this tumblr), but my specialty is actually sculpture work, specifically with polymer clay.

Upon completing my senior show (a series of figurine portraits that touched on toxic masculinity and where an individual’s source of power comes from), I had an idea for another body of work entitled, “Not Your Mother’s Knick-knacks, Not Your Father’s Toys”.

In short, this body of work would touch on the ways gender and identity are shaped and reinforced through seemingly innocuous things like toys and play.

Given that my current situation (teaching full time in Japan) really only allows for me to complete something small on the daily, I decided that I’d go forth and start creating some concept art for this body of work - something to draw from once I get back home.

Consider this PATRIOT Bear to be the first in a series of concept pieces.

July 02, 1999 YWCA, Palo Alto, CA

Katy Grannan, Tim, b. 1981, from Model American.