Disco Queen

Joy /joi/ (n) - a feeling of great pleasure and happiness.

Joy is what I felt when creating Disco Queen. It was the joy of creating, the joy of trying something different, the joy in the freedom of expression. Disco Queen, in my mind, shows a woman in the stillness of joy. That moment amongst the chaos when you pause, just for a split second, and realize...this is joy. 

I've had that moment several times in my life. The most vivid experience was at about the age of 23 or 24. I remember it was a warm and sunny day in Odenton, Maryland. I was driving alone to run some errand either for myself or for my mother. I'm not sure if it was the particularly blue skies, or the exceptionally infectious tune, or just a sudden, inexplicable burst of dopamine...but I felt it. Joy. Bliss, damn near. I was happy. Not a thing was wrong and I remember the intentional etching of that moment, that feeling into my mind. I remember a voice saying "remember this moment, this is joy."

Every now and again, I reach back for that moment. Reminding myself, especially when she is evading me, that I know Joy. 

In my imagination, Disco Queen is staring joy right in the face. She's mesmerized, intoxicated, and aroused. If ever she'd seen a soulmate, it'd look just like joy. It'd act just like joy. It'd never see her flaws, like joy. It'd make her giggle, like joy.It'd fill her veins with dopamine...just like joy.

It'd paint flowers into her background and make her head into a spiral where colors don't matter; just whether or not things fit. It'd light her eyes with the soft purple of lilacs, turn her cheeks a rosy pink, and paint the edges of her curves with neon colors...just. like. joy. 

Art is one of those few things where no feeling is "wrong" and all feelings have the potential to deeply resonate and never shame or embarrass. Art is one of those places where you can truly come as you are. Sometimes I'll choose the anger, the attitude, the somber or the too painful to name. But this time, dear Art Lover, I chose joy.

Prints of Disco Queen start at $39 and are available for purchase here: https://donnao.art/products/disco-queen-2025-standard-print