Here's a piece by me from 1984 or so, and a followup from around 2004...

[GReedDiamond]

"EKG"
Acrylic on canvas, approx 48" w X 47" h, (private collection).



"EKG 2"
Oil on paper,approx 7.25" w X 7.5" h (image area without matte).



EKG2 is closer to the original inspiration, which was a Polaroid photo I took of the window of a Curandero in Los Angeles.

[LiberalLoner]

1. Wow, very nice! 👍👍👍

[GReedDiamond]

2. Thanks very much, LL! - nt

[lunatica]

3. I'm always fascinated with the different artistic themes of death

These look like the scenes are cultural depictions of the cycle of life and death that’s very different than our American views. Your colors are vibrant and strong, not the usual way death is depicted and it gives the paintings a feeling of warmth, almost festive.

I love these!

[GReedDiamond]

4. Thanks lunatica...since these were based on a display window...

...of a Curandero, I suppose that's where the "cycle of life and death" vibe is coming from.

Beyond that, I must admit that I don't think too much about the "meaning" - if there is any - of what I'm doing, I just do it.

I like the festive part, though!

[lunatica]

5. I've had too many surprises in my own paintings

to think we have any real control over what we paint. That’s one reason why I love to talk about other people’s paintings. I talk about how I see it, what feelings I get and a few painterly things thrown in. I try to really look at paintings and I’m never disappointed because I see things that no one who doesn’t really look will catch.

[GReedDiamond]

6. On the "control" issue...

...I distinctly remember a moment when, very late at night/early morning, while I was working on this thing below that ended up as "E1" aka "OutLandscape - The Great Divide" - https://www.democraticunderground.com/10286933 ...


...I distinctly remember that I had a sudden moment of stark cold fear that I was totally raging insane! Why was I up at like, 3:27 in the morning, doing this...thing? There was no plan to do it, it just sort of did itself, for better or worse.

Later, it became a part of the "EEE Box" at the link above.

And, yeah, I'm still somewhat insane, heh.

[lunatica]

7. I've often exclaimed in complete frustration

that I must be crazy to be a slave to my own compulsion to paint! WTF!! What the hell am I doing?!

When anyone says, “What fun for you!” I can feel myself giving them a bilious look.