Slay The Canvas

06/05/2024

Happy Pride everyone! No better time than Pride month to introduce my newly completed painting from my new series, “Slay the Canvas.” This series celebrates and immortalizes our fabulous and fearless drag queens, who are the heart and soul of the LGBTQ+ community. I’ve never been more inspired to create something so important and beautiful. I deeply respect and admire the beauty, artistry, courage and strength of our drag queens, and it is my honor to showcase their extraordinary spirit through my art.
The first portrait in this series is of my dear friend, Ethylina Canne who played a pivotal role in the inception of this project. I had the pleasure of meeting Ethyl during her Bingo event at Pride in Phoenix last year, where we discussed the inspiration behind my idea of this new series. She graciously agreed to be my first model. We later met in Palm Springs at the Velvet Rope, a chic boutique hotel designed and owned by David Rios, who I am told also collaborated with Trixie Mattel on her boutique hotel the Trixie Motel in Palm Springs. During our time at the Velvet Rope, I captured several photos of Ethyl. The day was magical. I am inspired by Ethyl’s glamorous and fearless style, her fashion and makeup expertise, and her sassy, fun attitude that captivates everyone around her. Ethyl was a true professional, paying attention to every tiny and thoughtful detail in her attire. In Ethyl’s words “My purpose on this earth is to spark JOY in others and that igniter is DRAG”.
I hope you will check back soon to see what’s next in the series! Happy Pride everyone!

04/19/2024

Hey folks! I’m super excited to introduce “Ethyl,” the star of what’s going to be my first major oil painting in a series of paintings of our fabulous and fierce drag queens. I bumped into Ethyl at the Bingo event she was hosting at Phoenix Pride last year, and she inspired me to finally kick off this project I’ve been dreaming about for ages.
It took a few months, but we finally managed to set up a day for me to photograph Ethyl in her hometown, Palm Springs. The day was absolutely magical. Ethyl’s glamorous and bold style, her knack for fashion and makeup, and her sassy, fun vibe that just draws you in—it's all just so inspiring. Ethyl once said, “My purpose on this earth is to spark JOY in others and that igniter is DRAG.” Thanks to Ethyl, not only for creating and hosting awesome LGBTQ events that support local charities but also for inspiring me to dive into the fabulous world of drag.
Can’t wait to share more updates and progress photos with you all. Stay tuned!

02/19/2024

We are thrilled to announce a vibrant and exciting search for the most charismatic, daring, and fabulous drag queens and drag kings to join Slay The Canvas fine art series. This series aims to celebrate and immortalize the essence of drag culture on canvas through striking, large-scale photorealistic oil portraits.
This is a unique opportunity for drag artists who relish expressing themselves and wish to encapsulate the essence of drag culture in its full splendor. We are seeking individuals brimming with creativity, passion, and a flair for the dramatic to immortalize their essence in art. Whether you're a seasoned queen or king, or a rising star eager to showcase your unique sparkle, we are excited to see your talent. Join us in celebrating the diversity, artistry, and enchantment of drag by applying to our model search.
An award-winning fine artist, renowned for her striking, large-scale photorealistic oil paintings, Rene Porter ventures into the drag scene under a mysterious new identity Michaela Angelo. With a celebrated background in painting, she enriches her drag persona, merging artistic finesse with the transformative power of drag. Through Michaela, she introduces a unique blend of visual art and drag expression. Her vision extends beyond mere performance; she aims to create greater visibility for drag artists through the medium of fine art, challenging traditional boundaries and captivating audiences. This innovative approach marks a bold new chapter in her artistic journey, promising to intrigue and inspire both the art and drag communities, fostering a deeper appreciation and understanding of drag as a legitimate and profound form of artistic expression.
Go to https://www.slaythecanvas.com/model-search to apply!

We are seeking professional drag artists as models for our new series "Slay the Canvas" oil paintings of drag artists.