Epically Masked was an attempt to inspire people to wear face coverings to slow the spread of COVID‑19 by depicting the epically heroic nature of everyday people. I have always been fascinated by this form of propaganda in the service and development of ideology. It is through the portrait form that I investigate these ideas. In my series Epically Masked, I explore the idea of subversive propaganda in support of the public good. This work asks a question about the sharply divergent ideologies that developed within Midwestern American culture: why can’t some see the heroic nature of simply wearing a piece of fabric over their nose and mouth?

A woman with curly brown hair wearing glasses and a patterned face mask stands outdoors with her hands on her hips, dressed in a light blue, polka-dotted shirt and jeans, during the evening.

A woman with curly brown hair wearing glasses and a patterned face mask stands outdoors with her hands on her hips, dressed in a light blue, polka-dotted shirt and jeans, during the evening.

A man wearing glasses, a colorful bandana over his face, a black t-shirt, and blue jeans holding a beige hat.

A man wearing glasses, a colorful bandana over his face, a black t-shirt, and blue jeans holding a beige hat.

A man wearing glasses and a grey face mask standing with arms crossed in an outdoor mall or shopping district.

A man wearing glasses and a grey face mask standing with arms crossed in an outdoor mall or shopping district.

A young woman wearing a red floral face mask, white T-shirt, and sunglasses hanging from her shirt, standing with her arms crossed in front of a colorful, mural-style background.

A young woman wearing a red floral face mask, white T-shirt, and sunglasses hanging from her shirt, standing with her arms crossed in front of a colorful, mural-style background.

Two people, an adult and a child, standing on a grassy field in a park, wearing face masks and casual clothing, with trees and houses in the background.

Two people, an adult and a child, standing on a grassy field in a park, wearing face masks and casual clothing, with trees and houses in the background.

Young girl in a yellow floral dress and face mask, standing on a shaded outdoor path, lifting her dress while smiling.

Young girl in a yellow floral dress and face mask, standing on a shaded outdoor path, lifting her dress while smiling.

A woman with tattoos on her arms and legs, wearing a black bandana mask, sunglasses on her head, and a black sleeveless shirt, riding a Yamaha dirt bike during sunset with tents and trees in the background.

A woman with tattoos on her arms and legs, wearing a black bandana mask, sunglasses on her head, and a black sleeveless shirt, riding a Yamaha dirt bike during sunset with tents and trees in the background.

A young man wearing sunglasses, a colorful face mask, a black t-shirt, beige shorts, and sneakers standing outdoors on grass with trees and a sunset sky in the background.

A young man wearing sunglasses, a colorful face mask, a black t-shirt, beige shorts, and sneakers standing outdoors on grass with trees and a sunset sky in the background.

Young woman standing outdoors in a city street, wearing a face mask, glasses, a blue sweater, a light-colored skirt, white sneakers, and white socks.

Young woman standing outdoors in a city street, wearing a face mask, glasses, a blue sweater, a light-colored skirt, white sneakers, and white socks.

A woman wearing a floral shirt, black ripped jeans, black ankle boots, and a patterned face mask walking on a city sidewalk under a partly cloudy sky.

A woman wearing a floral shirt, black ripped jeans, black ankle boots, and a patterned face mask walking on a city sidewalk under a partly cloudy sky.

A person standing outdoors on a sidewalk, wearing a gray T-shirt with a logo, blue jeans, cowboy boots, a cap, and a black bandana covering their face. The background shows a parking lot, some cars, trees, and a partly cloudy sky.

A person standing outdoors on a sidewalk, wearing a gray T-shirt with a logo, blue jeans, cowboy boots, a cap, and a black bandana covering their face. The background shows a parking lot, some cars, trees, and a partly cloudy sky.