UTD’s latest art exhibit offering proves clothes really do make the woman – or at least make up an important extension of her.

In “Ready Wear,” running through Feb. 14 in the Mezzanine Gallery of the Visual Arts Building, senior arts & performance major Sara Ishii, digitally manipulates photographs of her own clothing and meticulously reproduces the result with oil on masonite board.

“Color and texture are two subjects my paintings rely on,” Ishii said. “The colors I choose in my palette, I also favor in my wardrobe”.

This is one of those rare collections that compel the viewer to stop and give each work dedicated thought.

The paintings engage all of the senses. The oil medium is smooth, yet undulates, adding a dynamic quality to the texture and colors in the paintings. The silky, glossy finish makes the artwork look delicious. I felt like I wanted to eat it.

There are several pieces to note in the culinary respect. “Watermelon Whipstitch” is a splash of green that moves to yellow to pink and transcends across the canvas. A peek of blue gives the viewer the impression that they are peering beyond the ripples of painting.

“Buttercream Bias” is undoubtedly the most delicious with yellows that are both buttery and sunshiny, coalescing with creamy whites into a boundless horizon.

Although clothing is skin deep, Ishii said she considers her muse an inextricable part of herself and her work. This deep connection between the artist and her art most likely accounts for its intriguing and captivating qualities.

“One can never remove themselves from their work because it has come from the creator and received their touch,” Ishii said. “As an artist I recognize this phenomenon, choosing to embrace and intensify the portrayal of myself by painting images of my clothing”.