Frog Handler

This is a 24" x 12" painting of a child circus performer who has a commanding presence on a small stage.
There are four frogs; one is on a high platform, and one is slung over the handler's arm., as if he had made a failed attempt to escape.

Two immense frogs are on leashes at the handler's feet. It appears that the frogs will be jumping through hoops, which the handler is carrying.

This piece is sold.

Pretty Boy

The series I am working on, Pretense, is about performance, clothed in a circus theme.  The circus part is mere decoration.  I am interested in the fact that we are all actors, and are constantly creating our scripts.  Who are we? What do we want to do?  How are we going to do it?  Why? What should we say and how should we say it?   Some people put on grandiose performances from huge arenas, and always have a sold-out crowd.   For most of us, our stages aren't big- maybe a four foot circle, and the audience comes and goes.
   

This painting is of a young boy on a small stage as seen through a vintage looking glass.  He is a reluctant participant in this performance, and would rather be somewhere else.  Seated on his lap is a large white cockatoo.  The title, "Pretty Boy" is a double entendre about the beauty of the boy, and the  phrase we say to parrots.

The boy is sitting on a miniaturized circus cart that is used to cage and transport animals.  His stage is so small that the curtain behind him presses in on all sides.

PRETENSE II

The opening of my show PRETENSE II is only two weeks away.  I have tons to do.  I need to paint the edges of my canvases, wire the paintings, print gallery labels, recheck prices, pick up new business cards, pick up banner, design a handout, design something with the name of the show and my name, and print out the my artist statement which is really an explanation of the show.  Hope I don't encounter any head winds!

Pictured in the poster is House of Cards, which is 48"x48".

Balancing Act Again

Got my images back from the photographer and so I am posting "Balancing Act" once again. This idea went through a few incarnations until I achieved what I wanted. I love orate stages with the velvet curtains and highly decorated backdrops, and the idea that this would be one very small stage.