Lucy Picasso’s pop culture portraits reimagine famous works of art, celebrities, and historical figures. Referencing found images from books, friends, and the internet, Picasso’s work engages with long-held traditions in portraiture. She uses graphite linework to establish a composition, then overlays it with loose, gestural strokes of paint. Translucent fields of color and thick brush strokes compose striking details—bold
eyelashes, a checkered blouse, sly eyes. Picasso, who was born as “Louann Johnson,” changed her name to “Lucy” after one of her favorite comedians, Lucille Ball, and her last name to “Picasso” after the famousartist. “I just like his work,” she says. “All the different shapesand the colors, too.”
She has presented work in exhibitions throughout Minnesota, including We Are Not Disposable(2020), Randomlandat The White Page (2019), Groundswell at Artspace Jackson Flats (2019), and Work with Your Quirk at the Bridgewater Lofts (2019). In addition to her art practice, Picasso is an advocate for Minnesota Nice Spice, her sister’s spice company, for which she designed the logo.
Special thanks to Xavier Tavera for this portrait of the artist.
