2019
Acrylic on canvas
28″ x 22″
This painting is significant for two reasons. One, it inspired my idea for the next collection of works I will post, entitled ‘Monachopsis’. What does that mean? You’ll just have to stay tuned! Or look it up on Google. I mean, that’s probably easier.
Secondly, it was my first attempt at painting actual figures in full since “What You Don’t See…“; “Trespass III”, if you remember, had a figure walking around a corner, and all you could see was a shadowy leg. “Audience” has a foot stepping out of the darkness. And was also a drawing, so it doesn’t count; I draw people all the time. But I rarely paint them.
And while you can’t see any of their faces, I’m happy with how they turned out in this piece.
As much as I love camping, there’s something still a little unnerving about being in the deep woods at night. In the thick of it, even with friends. There’s something feral and untapped. It’s exciting and makes you feel alive, while also reminding you of your…insignificance, I suppose. How small and helpless you are against the beast of nature.
There are five figures, growing fainter in the fading range of the firelight. Two are looking at the moon. One is looking into the woods. One is looking at the viewer. And one is running away. I wonder why.