Pen Slaney’s paintings are rooted in a deep affinity for vintage aesthetics. They reflect the visual language of mid-20th century fashion and media, particularly the glamour and stylization of the 1960s and 70s. Much of her source material originates in the past, such as archival magazines, classic films and heirloom photography. Slaney collects moments that evoke the mood and visual sensibility of another era and uses them as a springboard for transformation. She reinterprets imagery through a contemporary, painterly lens with a distinctly illustrative style.

 

Beginning with a found or photographed image, she deconstructs and rebuilds it, altering composition, palette, and narrative context. Sometimes she may simplify or stylize the background, creating space for the figure to take center stage. More often layers of new detailing and stylization are added to construct scenes that blend nostalgia with storytelling. Draped fabrics, sculptural accessories and desert botanicals are recurring motifs, reflecting both a reverence for the past and a desire to recast it in a new, vibrant light. Inviting viewers to reconsider the iconography of both past and present from a fresh perspective.