Artwork of Rob McCarthy

Monday, June 8, 2026

Transforming Scrap Paper

Transforming this scrap piece of metallic sticky paper into something fun and inspired.

The tiny dimensions, key hole cut-out, and sparkly metallic gold material helped inspire the transformation of this piece of scrap paper into a waif-ish, sexy and somewhat awkward It-girl cartoon.

In honor of Pride month and the release of "Confessions II" by Madonna

Madonna outfit option 1

Madonna outfit option 2

In honor of Pride month (June) and the release of Madonna new album in several years, "Confessions: II", I'm posting this painting of Madonna from 3 years ago, part of my "Divas of Music" series of portraits of several "divas" of the Pop Culture age, including Britney Spears, Diana Ross, Lil Kim, and Madonna. The original painting above, in the full gold look, was certainly inspired from Madonna's late 80's, early 90's persona of the high-glam, wink and a nod, vamp. I thought I could go a little further with the outfit, and added the Jean-Paul Gaultier inspired silver bustier with gold nipple embellishments and belt. Gaultier designed concert tour costumes for Madonna from her iconic Blond Ambition Tour, and these designed grabbed my attention as an impressionable lil gay boy, and still influences looks and artists of today.