DUI, Driving Under the Influence, A trio of Decision Portraits.

(Above:  DUI: Driving Under the Influence, II, I, and III.  Decision Portrait Series.  Stitched words on each portrait:  I made a mistake.  Xylene photo transfer on tea-stained muslin.  Hand embroidery and beading.  Xylene Photo transfer on tea-stained muslin.  Each portrait 25" x 19" unframed; 31" x 25" framed.  Click on image to enlarge.) 

From the very beginning of the Decision Portrait Series I’ve been looking for a brave person willing to share what is undeniably a poor decision…..DUI….Driving Under the Influence.  I asked everyone I knew.  I posted my request on Facebook.  I thought I’d never find anyone compassionate enough to share this experience.  Amazingly, three fearless individuals stepped up with the hope that others might avoid such a situation.  I am honored by their faith in my stitches. (Above:  DUI (Driving Under the Influence) I.  Click on image to enlarge.) Please note: the series isn’t about “right” and “wrong”.  That really isn’t the focus here!  After all, we’ve all made mistakes….and most of the people I know could, at one time or the other, have made this particular mistake but not been caught.  The Decision Portrait Series is meant to confront decisions in a straight-forward, honest way…..to come face-to-face with real people who stare out of the fabric and challenge our concept of stereotypes and prejudices….to provide thought-provoking personal questions.  My hope (and these three people join me) is that people seeing these portraits will THINK before inserting their car keys after drinking.  (Above:  DUI (Driving Under the Influence) II.  Click on image to enlarge.) The amount of alcohol, a person’s sex and weight, and even the kind of alcohol can affect one’s BAC (Blood alcohol content).  The legal limit is .08 and the fines vary from state to state and with the number of incidents.  Believe it or not, there’s an on line breathalyzer and an iPhone app called “Drink Tracker”. (Above:  DUI (Driving Under the Influence) III.  Click on image to enlarge.) So….sure….there’s an overt message in this trio of portraits.  The “newsprint” look of the xylene photo transfer is really great at projecting the image of both an individual and the suggestion of a universal person…  Each portrait could be a reflection of a friend or family member….or even oneself.  “Could this be me?”  (Above:  DUI (Driving Under the Influence) I, detail.  Click on image to enlarge.) Yet, there’s also a subtler message because generally it “could be you”.  Each portrait is also meant to ask viewers a personal question, “How would I react if this were my neighbor, co-worker, or relative?  This is a complex decision with complex reactions.  These are brave individuals that have shared a dark, complex choice and are hoping others take the time to contemplate their actions and reactions.  (Above, left:  DUI II, detail.  Right:  DUI III, detail.  Click on images to enlarge.) One of these individuals is truly fearless.  As an artist, he understands the artistic concept of this series and knows that my intentions are to display "real people"....multi-faceted human beings who are involved in all sorts of normal activities and pursuing many creative passions.  In order to illustrate this point, he's willing to share more of himself....his name, Brian Pyle, and his incredible artwork.  Take a look HERE!  Thank you Brian!  You're one of a kind, AMAZING!  (Above:  DUI I, detail of multi-colored beads. Click on image to enlarge.) All three portraits were designed and stitched as a trio.  They have the same threads and beads and will hang together at the upcoming exhibition at The City Gallery at Waterfront Park in Charleston, September 10 - October 10, 2010.  I'm quite sure that this trio will make a lasting impression....and hopefully will removed some of the stigma about "driving under the influence".  If we are open and honest about it, more people would "ask for a ride" or "call a cab" or have the courage to stop a friend from making a terrible mistake.