Mother and Muse – Margo and Theo Selski

Mother and Muse – Margo and Theo Selski

Washington-based Margo Selski paints surreal scenes of a neo-Renaissance. Filled with mysterious be-ruffed princesses, white rabbits, royal regalia and strange technology, her style evokes Flemish painting’s glory days. Much of Margo’s current work features this young model:

margo-and-theo-selski
This is Theo, the artist’s twelve-year-old son, who has been cross-dressing since the age of seven. Margo comments:

Theo is starting to receive a lot of hostility from his peers in our little town in rural Washington about his cross-dressing. He has little control in his world. These paintings are a reminder to him that, although the world around you tells you that you don’t belong, the world around you can change. These paintings give him control.

She has created an entire series, dedicated to Theo, that places him in gorgeous fantasy settings and roles, crowned, holding scepters, often wearing beautiful gowns – all in an effort to empower him during this difficult, disorienting time.

Margo’s artistic celebration of her son reminds me, just a little, of Irina Ionesco’s photos of her daughter, Eva. Though Theo isn’t ever pictured nude, I wonder if Margo might one day see similar criticism: “Are these paintings empowering? Exploitative? Both?” Personally, I think they’re stunning and look forward to meeting both the artist and the muse…

Search for an Artist or Artwork by Category

Artist
Style
Medium
Price
Size

Whispers of Light

16" x 8" / 40.6 x 20.3cm
Watercolor on Aquabord

Golden Reverie

20" x 16" / 50.8 x 40.6cm
Watercolor on Aquabord

Through the Lace

12" x 12" / 30.5 x 30.5cm
Watercolor on Aquabord

Wrapped in Bloom

24" x 12" / 61 x 30.5cm
Watercolor on Aquabord

Echoes of Porcelain

24" x 24" / 61 x 61cm
Watercolor on Aquabord

The Wake

16" x 20" / 40.6 x 50.8cm
Oil on canvas

Study for “The Guest”

7" x 5" / 17.8 x 12.7cm
Acrylic on panel

Study for “The Courtiers”

20" x 16" / 50.8 x 40.6cm
Drawing on artist paper

Power – Limited Edition Framed A/P Print

35.5 x 32.25 in

PURCHASE

Serenity

20" x 20" / 50.8 x 50.8cm
Watercolor on Aquabord

Far Away – Limited Edition Unframed Print

24 x 19.25 in

PURCHASE

Her Thoughts They Hum – Limited Edition Unframed Print

24 x 20 in

PURCHASE

Memory Weaver – Limited Edition Unframed Print

24.5 x 20 in

PURCHASE

In the Hollow – Limited Edition Unframed Print

27 x 20 in

PURCHASE

Her Fancy – Limited Edition Unframed Print

13.5 x 20 in

PURCHASE

The Sentinel – Limited Edition Unframed Print

20 x 13.25 in

PURCHASE

The Window – Limited Edition Unframed Print

20 x 13.5 in

PURCHASE

Wood Fire – Limited Edition Unframed Print

20 x 20 in

PURCHASE

No Turning Back – Limited Edition Unframed Print

10 x 20 in

PURCHASE

Thaw – Limited Edition Unframed Print

20 x 25 in

PURCHASE

Flight – Limited Edition Unframed Print

8 x 8 in

PURCHASE

The Road She Walks – Limited Edition Unframed Print

16 x 20 in

PURCHASE

The Travelers – Limited Edition Unframed Print

20 x 20 in

PURCHASE

No Trespassing – Limited Edition Unframed Print

20 x 16 in

PURCHASE

Beyond Here – Limited Edition Unframed Print

24 x 20 in

PURCHASE

Beyond Here

48" x 60" / 121.9 x 152.4cm
Acrylic on canvas

Recollection

24" x 30" / 61 x 76.2cm
Acrylic on canvas

Bloom – Limited Edition Unframed Print

8 x 8 in

PURCHASE

The Eclosion of a Butterfly – Limited Edition Unframed Print

12 x 24 in

PURCHASE

Shades of Black – Limited Edition Unframed Print

8 x 8 in

PURCHASE

Account Login

Don’t have an acount? Sign up now.