Karmic Necromance
Oil on Canvas
34 x 34″
This personal self portrait deals with observations of important and meaningful established and seemingly fleeting relationships which have come and gone in my life thus far. Dramas that I am dealing with, some, which may have been unearthed and carried over lifetimes. Coincidentally enough, creating this piece has actually exposed karma in the process of its making. It is scary, marvelous and prodigious, how the expression of manifesting art works on that level. The concepts come from a place, the creative or the world of ideas (as Plato or Socrates describe), and manifest here. These ideas have the potential to “work” on you, if you are aware of it, (or not) to bring tangible lessons to the surface.
Judas’ Behavior
Oil on Canvas
42″ x56″
Judas’ Behavior”, emulates the artist Caravaggio’s composition & lighting by referencing and “contemporizing” the subject matter from his painting The Taking of Jesus. In this scene the title “Judas’ Behavior” hints to the viewer directing them toward the Baroque masters artwork and also attempts to reference the tumultuous lifestyle of the artist himself as well as the tension around the biblical passage.
Grandmother Medicine
Oil on Canvas
4′ x 5′
“Grandmother Medicine” References the painting The Water Carrier by Diego Velazquez. Contemporizing the subject matter I chose to depict a Santo Daime Ayahuasca healing ceremony. The subject breathes intention into the (grandmother) medicine as the shaman or facilitator holds sacred space.
Death of Mara
Oil on Canvas
44″x52″
Our thoughts are often egoistical. Ripples that disturb still waters. A still mind has no judgement or desire. It is at peace. Mara tried to prevent Buddha from enlightenment with temptations of egoistical physical desires, the Buddha’s final test. Buddha defeated Mara with one touch of his finger on the earth beneath him as he sat still under the Bodhi tree. This painting is a metaphor for ego death. It also reflects the image of the Pieta, (Mary holding Jesus, the physical form of the trinity). Jesus died for the sins of “man” symbolizing ego death as well. The water represents cleansing rebirth and release. A baptism of sorts.
Raqs Baladi
Oil on Linen
42″ x 56″
“Raqs Baladi” (belly dancing) is a portrait of Mel Anya and the Middle Eastern band, Baharat. Inspired by John Singer Sargents, El Jaleo, I wanted to capture the history and subject matter, the empowerment and beauty, the form and costumes in this expression of dance.
Gorgon
Oil on Canvas
4×5′
“Gorgon”, emulates the artist Caravaggio’s composition & lighting by referencing and “contemporizing” the subject matter from his painting The Crowning with Thorns. In Gorgon the tattooist is actually branding the subject with a Caravaggio image. The Medusa head (or Gorgon) on his shoulder gives homage to the artist and acts as an “inside joke” or a direct clue referencing the original painting.