Over the Rainbow
“We’re not in Kansas anymore” is what my wife, Laura, said as soon as she saw the early stages of my most recent painting. Without realizing it she had given me my title. Of course, I didn’t tell her what it would be until it was finished.
I had been working on the concept for this painting for a while, but had not come upon the right mask until I got an email recently from my online art buddy, Renuka Pillai. She had just been to the Fowler Museum at UCLA and taken several shots of masks they have on display there. Thankfully, she thought of me and passed her photos along. This one jumped out at me and I knew immediately I had found the mask to finish this composition. I’m not sure what country this mask comes from originally and would welcome anyone’s insight.
As you can see, I’ve once again opened up the dialogue about man’s impact on our environment. It’s just a little statement about cause and effect… Didn’t Newton say something about for every action there being an equal and opposite reaction? Just sayin’…
Over the Rainbow – 24″x36″ – Acrylic on Canvas – Completed 6-3-09
©2009, Don Michael, Jr.
Don, I find your work so amazing. Great job. And I like the fact that your wife helped you to come up with a title too….my husband helps me too. Nice to have the collaboration!
Wow! You really succeeded in creating a powerful piece of work. It’s eerie and intriguing. It works on so many levels, both technical and content. The vacant eyes are riveting in contrast to the bizarre mouth. Powerful!
Ladies, Thank you for your generous comments.
Kathleen, you are so right about the joys of having a collaborator.
Kathy, Eerie and intriguing was exactly what I was going for. I want people to feel they have to look and then get a shiver down their spine.
Thanks again, -Don
Ah … if that was your goal, then you succeeded! Well done. BTW … you should select from your blog toolbox the “follower” option. It would make it easier for those of us who regularly follow your blog to link to your page.
Good idea, Kathy. I’m not sure how to do that with the blog software I’m using, but hope to figure it our soon. I realize I’ve barely scratched the surface on all the potential this software has to offer. I’m just figuring it out as I go. -Don