Acrylic on canvas
20×20
Interactive non performance art.
Nudie Bikinis grew from the artists desire to paint female nudes. However the subject matter has been a point of contention for the artist and her very supportive husband. Modesty? Indecency? Beauty? Exposure. Art is beholden to no one.
As a child, the artist admired a female nude pastel that graced her mothers bedroom wall. It had been gifted to her mother by her grandmothers best friend and Phoenix based artsist, Doris DuBose. This childhood mystery inspired her to create her own female nude series…with a twist. Each Bikini Nudie, freely painted is also adorned with a vintage Micheal Simon Bikini allowing the collector to expose or cover up. The Bikini is uniquely fastened with strong magnets and is movable, removable and struttable lending the work multiplicity through layering. The bare painting alone and the bikini itself a beautiful plaid puff, are layered together creating connection but also maintain their individuality. The swimwear line is cutting edge and was designed by, Lyndal Refsnes-Johnstone, the artists Aunt, for Micheal Simon New York, in the early 2000’s. One cobalt blue ruffle butt bikini bottom was featured in Sports Illustrated Swimsuite Edition, on model Yamila Diaz-Rahi in 2003. Now in 2026, 23 years later, the sample suits, revived from the archives, are featured on an original Carmen Refsnes swimsuit edition.
Acrylic on canvas
20×20
Interactive non performance art.
Nudie Bikinis grew from the artists desire to paint female nudes. However the subject matter has been a point of contention for the artist and her very supportive husband. Modesty? Indecency? Beauty? Exposure. Art is beholden to no one.
As a child, the artist admired a female nude pastel that graced her mothers bedroom wall. It had been gifted to her mother by her grandmothers best friend and Phoenix based artsist, Doris DuBose. This childhood mystery inspired her to create her own female nude series…with a twist. Each Bikini Nudie, freely painted is also adorned with a vintage Micheal Simon Bikini allowing the collector to expose or cover up. The Bikini is uniquely fastened with strong magnets and is movable, removable and struttable lending the work multiplicity through layering. The bare painting alone and the bikini itself a beautiful plaid puff, are layered together creating connection but also maintain their individuality. The swimwear line is cutting edge and was designed by, Lyndal Refsnes-Johnstone, the artists Aunt, for Micheal Simon New York, in the early 2000’s. One cobalt blue ruffle butt bikini bottom was featured in Sports Illustrated Swimsuite Edition, on model Yamila Diaz-Rahi in 2003. Now in 2026, 23 years later, the sample suits, revived from the archives, are featured on an original Carmen Refsnes swimsuit edition.
