Cravings, a series by oil painter Arielle Tesoriero

Arielle Tesoriero is a painter who works with oil to create large-scale, contemporary portraiture. She focuses on intersectional feminism, the ideology that race, class, gender, sensuality and sexuality differentiate the distribution of power and social relations between groups of women. Growing up in the United States on the rural Eastern Shore of Maryland, understanding people’s perception of beauty deeply perplexes her.

I create these pieces with an intention for other women to be able to connect with them so they know they aren’t alone.

Painter: Arielle Tesoriero @arielletesorierostudio | Model: Meredith Jane Lehan @wxtch_bxtch and Chloe Mackey @chloemackey

“My work revolves around my struggles with self-esteem, sexuality, desire, isolation and loneliness. Every woman I know experiences these struggles because of an ideal beauty, morality, or purpose that is placed upon us by our surrounding environments. Each individual woman has her own story that reflects the discriminations she has faced. Although my work is personal to me, I want other people to be able to relate to it––I create these pieces with an intention for other women to be able to connect with them so they know they aren’t alone.
I use my poetry, diary entries, and my own photography as inspirations and references for my work. I also use music, literature, and social media. All of my inspiration comes directly from my life, normally from things I experience day to day, that I will translate into a feeling. I describe painting as a diary to me because I depict scenes I couldn’t express in any other way.” -Tesoriero