This is one of two paintings incorporating the random balloon. It is called "Angel of Foreclosure" and I painted it late in 2007 while lots of people were starting to lose their homes to shit deals and sub-prime loans while the fat cats that designed the whole scheme began receiving protection from congress to keep their fast ill-gained wealth. Whatever.
I use symbols and icons in my paintings as they become apparent and necessary to get my thought out. Sometimes they present themselves. I didn't understand why the balloon in this painting was there when I finished the painting. It just had to be. So I finished the painting and then moved on.
Then it appeared again, in this painting, which I finished last night. It is called "Like a Hole in the Head"
This painting is about my friend having way too much to drink at my house and hurting himself trying to pedal his way back home. Fortunately, he wasn't too hurt. He came back over with a gaping hole in his head stunned. I patched him up and called his wife - I'm sure that hurt worse. Nonetheless he is fine.
When I painted this the story came out followed by the damn recurring balloon. After thinking about the painting I got it. I've been reading too much Vonnegut. It is coming out in these paintings. Everyone that suffers a calamity should be given a balloon.
You lose your home! Have a balloon!
You fucked yourself up real bad! Have a balloon!
What could be next? Imagine the possibilities...
Only time will tell.
Until then, Have a balloon!
1 comment:
Patrick- I like this one very much. especially the little cut out houses.
good work
Post a Comment