I have been working on this for some time.
I have never done a human still life - a portrait; let alone, a complete remake of an old master. This has never come from the tip of my brush. Open a window. I think the cheese has turned.
I was drawn to this piece for a couple of reasons. There is a whole lot of "less is more" going on here. Like a "Velvet Elvis", John the Baptist is crawling from the black. I believe that the original has black paint while Elvis resides on black velvet. I tried to pay some homage to that Vegas taste by painting on black cotton duck. You get that same flatness but it's a little less combed.
The whole "John" composition consists of a white shape on a yellow shape on a brown shape next to a reddish orange shape on black. More to the point, shape over shape over shape. Minimal.
I once saw a "Velvet Elvis" painter creating his masterpieces live. Yes, he was at the mall. Yes, he was quick and formulaic. His Elvises were done and ready to sell in the time it takes to rise a pretzel from Aunt Annie's. I like the idea of fast communication. Isn't it better when an idea is understood quicker - an appreciation is experienced faster. It is an un-interruption of understanding that we strive for.
There are lights and there are darks. Great contrast drives this piece.
No comments:
Post a Comment