Crazy 4 Cult 4 - 2nd piece..

"My girls, sir, they didn't care for the Overlook at first. One of them actually stole a pack of matches, and tried to burn it down. But I "corrected" them sir. And when my wife tried to prevent me from doing my duty, I "corrected" her. "

"A Father's Duty" - 20x24- oil on canvas

obviously from "The Shining"

My favorite scene from the movie, is when Grady and Jack are in the bathroom talking. That is so intense.

Crazy 4 Cult 4, opens July 9th @ Gallery 1988 at their L.A location.

Crazy 4 Cult 4

One of my pieces for this years Crazy 4 Cult

"The Eraser guys are coming" - 18x24- oil on canvas

inspired from one of most favorite movies

Eternal Sunshine of the Spotless Mind

this is Gallery 1988's 4th year doing the show.

Kevin Smith and Scott Mosier will be there hosting this year, too bad I cant be there.

If I only could

you dont wanna hurt me

but see how how deep the bullet lies

unaware

Im tearing you asunder

there is thunder in our hearts

Is there so much hate for the ones we love?

tell me

we both matter dont we?

And if I only could

Id make a deal with God

and get him to swap our places

Id be running up that road

running up that hill

If I only could.

- Kate Bush

leave the light on

Light unveils all things that hide in the shadows. Monsters disappear as soon as the lights turn on. Your mind is distracted, instead of lying there in the dark with just your thoughts. Which is in fact the real monster.

"Nightlight" - 20x24 - oil on canvas

The mind is amazing. And its amazing what you end up doing to yourself in order to deal with things. Ive come to realize the girls I paint, most times, are adapting to their surroundings. The hair is an extension of themselves and acts as a visual to whats going on inside them. In this case shes desperately creating light to constantly shine upon her, so there is no chance of darkness seeping in. In doing so shes altering the balance of nature, and it will eventually do her harm.

Becoming a nun

On cold days

its easy to be reasonable,

to button the mouth against kisses,

dust the breast

with talcum powder

and forget

the red pulp meat

of the heart

On those days

it beats like a digital clock-

not a beat at all

but a steady whirring

chilly as green neon

luminous as numerals in the dark,

cool as electricity

and I think:

I can live without it all -

love with its blood pump,

sex with its messy hungers,

men with their peacock strutting,

their silly sexual baggage,

their wet tounges in my ear

and their words like little sugar suckers

with sour centers,

On such days

I am zipped in my body suit,

I am wearing seven league red suede boots,

I am marching over cobblestones

as if they were the heads of men,

and I am happy

as a seven-year-old virgin

holding Daddy's hand

Dont touch

Dont try to tempt me with your ripe persimmons.

Dont threaten me with your volcano.

The sky is clearer when Im not in heat,

and the poems

are colder.

~ Erica Jong

into the abyss

Im pretty obsessed with the Abyss, not the movie, but the real abyss.

I love the fact there is still uncharted areas of the ocean, and we still keep finding new creatures dwelling down there.

Its amazing how much some of the creatures actually look like monsters. Its almost sad too, they live so desperately in the pitch black darkness. Sometimes it seems like they are being punished.

this piece is partners with "The Taxidermist's daughter"

"Submerged" - 20x24- oil on canvas

In this piece and "The Taxidermist's Daughter", each girl is dealing with the surroundings they have put themselves in.

The darkness has a certain appeal. Its silent, you can have solitude and its mysterious. Its easy to get drawn into it, and its easy to get lost in it as well. And if your not careful and pull yourself away, you start to adapt. Eventually you find yourself a totally different person all alone living desperately in the pitch black darkness.

Heavy

Each one of the pieces for the show has a partner, they are almost like pros and cons in a way.

Both sides are represented. This piece is a partner to "Sweet Oblivion"

"Burden" - 36x48 - oil on canvas

Everyone is afraid of dark times. Uncontrollable dark times. War is a heavy burden for many. I personally know a few who are undoubtedly controlled by the fear of a bomb blasting Apocalypse. It has overtaken their mind, and even though they try to hide it. A conversation will start, and somehow they are staring off into space talking about the end of the world.

It is indeed frightening. And again at one point in my life, it was something I couldnt stop thinking about.

Even now its something thats hard to hear about, or thinking about. I instantly want to forget about it, and be completely oblivious that the world is a ticking time bomb. But I think its important to brace yourself for everything. No one wants to step into the darkness, but ignoring it will only do you harm. I think its important to address what your afraid of, dont ignore it, but dont let it overtake you either. Having peace of mind is very hard to accomplish. I have the seed planted in me, it just needs to grow. I need to know how to handle this fragile thing.

This isnt a political piece. Im not protesting anything. This is a reminder to look around you and enjoy the beauty we were given. Gather peace of mind and let your burdens go.

2 years later

Last night was the opening for "The Great Balancing Act", and after every opening night theres a bittersweet type of feeling. Like I said before, Ryan and I have been working on this for 2 years, theres been alot that has gone into the show, mostly emotions. Its exhausting, physically and mentally. Your up all hours of the night hunched over your easel, you got carpal tunnel and your eyes hurt. Not to mention all the technical problems.

So when opening night comes your so tired and out of it, its all a blur, and you say to yourself" what happened, can we do that again I missed it".

This feeling adds to the need of working toward another show, but it all happens the same. Everything is a endless loop of desire and need. oh well.

all of these images started with this piece, which came too me while listening to Muse's song "City of Delusion".

"Sweet Oblivion" - 36x48 - oil on canvas

my once fear of tornado's, and my new fascination with them brought certain thoughts to me.

When I finally overcame my fear I was going through a extremely hard time in my life. I had to face things I never wanted to before. It was hell. I could say it feels mentally like what a heroin addict must feel physically when going through detox. Your ridding yourself of these toxic things. And once it starts theres no going back, you have to go all the way.

I eventually found what I need to get through the darkness. I have that tool now, and am using it to face what remains. After I realized this my nightmares of tornado's stopped.

"Sweet Oblivion" is just about that. Oblivious to the dangers around you, with your head in the clouds.

She is gently pulling along her home in safety with certainty nothing bad will ever happen. While someones home and all their possessions are seconds away from being destroyed. Which is in fact reality. Bad things will happen, and when they happen you must be ready to face them, and deal with the rubble thats left behind.

New Print.

I will have a new print available through Rivers Edge Gallery, for the show next week.

"The Taxidermist's Daughter"

16x20

giclee print on velvet art paper

limited to 25

signed and numbered

you can get one online starting the 18th, and in gallery on opening night, the 19th