Katie Mononoke

‘Katie Mononoke’  The concept behind this painting was to create a full portrait using a single layer stencil, employing white on black to form the face from an intricate mix of shapes, patterns, and swirls. Each of these elements works together to craft a unified image, where the interplay of the individual components comes together to create a complete portrait. The result is a seamless amalgamation of abstract forms and realistic details, making the portrait both dynamic and visually captivating.

In creating this piece, I focused just as much on the stencil process as on the final product. I wanted to push my skills to the limit, testing both my cutting and spraying precision with this technique. I took inspiration from the work of stencil artists like Banksy and Blek le Rat, but aimed to elevate the traditional single-layer stencil by incorporating free-flowing details that added movement and fluidity to the composition.

The initial idea for this painting came from a mash-up pin-up girl concept I had originally planned for a mural. However, as I revisited the idea, I was drawn to a beautiful reference photo of a growling woman wearing a fluffy hat and sporting Princess Mononoke’s face markings. This striking image captured strength, defiance, and beauty, and it seemed like the perfect subject to bring to life through this intricate stencil technique.

With Katie Mononoke, I was able to blend the themes of fierceness and beauty, using the single layer stencil technique to showcase a powerful, confident female figure. The result is a striking portrait that captures both the complexity of the stencil process and the spirit of the subject, bringing this fierce and unique character to life.