Looking at the Woman in the Red Dress (after Van Dyck, Rachel de Ruvigny)

My first piece ever of an esteemed Australian, Jordan Raskopoulos, a powerhouse in comedy, was an amazing entertainer to watch across digital streaming spaces over the Pandemic lockdowns. Her wit, charm and relatability has created a strong and loving digital and international community. Jordan Raskopoulos is a Sydney based comedian, singer and influencer best known for her work as the lead singer of The Axis of Awesome. Jordan is also an accomplished writer, journalist and events host. Jordan is a transgender woman and an outspoken advocate for LGBTQIA+ and mental health causes. She has brought transgender issues into her comedy routines and live performances. She has promoted awareness and understanding to a broad audience through humour. Jordan Raskopoulous pushes her audience's curiosity in pop culture, obscure trivia and their attention for hard discussions of Australias' attitude towards the trans community, ADHD mental health issues and anxiety. Before and during the Covid 19 lockdowns she created a world on the streaming platform Twitch which I fell head first into and loved. Jordan commands her stage with expertise and power - she can play the fool, the bogan and the sexy vamp without a misstep all which culminates in my ‘power portrait’ inspired by ‘Rachel de Ruvigny - Van Dyck’ a painting that hangs in the National Gallery of Victoria and always captures my attention for its strength, rejection of typical Male Gaze tropes and endearing smirk in a fantastical setting. My Jordan is seated on a dark glass globe, one on one with her viewer, she's relatable but she commands your attention in her swathes of red satin. Were you listening to the conversation, or were you looking at the woman in the red dress?"