She makes this classic theme her own, exuding emotion and energy. The fusion of a gritty floor and color tinge underscore the mixed mood, and the lighting illuminates Jorgie’s figure in a golden hue that stands out against the subdued geometric background. This composition takes the theme of guitar pinup in a different direction, while building on the existing images in the genre.
The theme of a woman playing a guitar dates back at least to Johannes Vermeer’s 17th century painting, shortly after the rise of the instrument into the popular mindset. Since then, the theme has been repeated, making it a challenge to create an innovative interpretation of this pairing.
The composition consists of the single figure and the guitar. The backdrop is the amplifier and a window of small glass blocks. The amplifier forms a dark rectangle, placed left of center. This one dark rectangle, although a minority of the image area, plays a large role in the composition. It aligns with the much larger rectangular area of glass blocks, balancing the visual offset of the window to add tension to the composition. Additionally, the dark tones allow the highlight on the leg to stand out.
Grayish blues give way to greenish browns in the shadows. The highlights are a golden toast color.
Compare this color photograph of a woman in a pinup-girl-inspired pose holding a guitar with this photograph of a nude woman with cello, viola, and violin, rendered in black and white.
