Holding Back
After weeks of doing work for others, I decided it was time to do a painting for me. So, I sat down last night and came up with this…
Holding Back – 10″x10″ – Acrylic on canvas – Completed 2/12/13
©2013, Don Michael, Jr.
For this painting I wanted to convey that a bemused smile can often be hiding much deeper feelings. The raw energy of the primary colors combined with the smile of the mask give this Over the Under-Schmeerings a friendly feel – until you meet the direct gaze of the eyes behind the mask, that is. What are those eyes really trying to tell us? For some reason, they sure don’t seem to be carrying the same friendly energy as the rest of the painting. I wonder what they’re Holding Back.
As I was preparing to post this it suddenly occurred to me that this was my first mask painting in quite a while. When I went back to look I realized that it’s been exactly 3 months since the last one. Maybe that’s why I had so much fun painting this last night…
Happy Creating!
This might be my favorite mask painting–he seems just a bit twisted, I don’t know whether he’s planning a joke or a murder.
Hallie… Oh boy! I love your take on this. I especially like “a bit twisted”. That’s right up my alley.
Thanks!
-Don
Yes. This is not a face I can trust. There is deceit and plotting in that smile/eyes combination, I think. So much in one expression. I was listening to a lecture about Rousseau – he complained about that fact that an enlightened society gives folks the ability to adopt a friendly facade and conceal their true deceptive or dangerous nature underneath. The mask is therefore especially appropriate. An excellent painting!
Dan… Great comment! I’ve always said that we all wear masks… Deceit may the reason for some, but I think that protection is probably the reason for most. As for the ability to adopt a friendly facade to conceal true intentions, I’ve always imagined that Abel thought nothing of his brother Caan coming over for a friendly visit… and, if I’m not mistaken, that was a little before our ‘enlightened society’.
-Don
Every time I see one of your mask paintings I think about what is really going on underneath it. At first glance I thought this was a light hearted happy schmeering, now I know better!
Robin… I love that my mask paintings make you look deeper. I couldn’t ask for a better compliment! Thanks.
-Don
Every time I see your colors flash by on my Facebook feed- I know it’s a Don Michael, Jr. painting. You have a very distinctive style. There is always a pure element of perfection in your paintings, very graphic yet painterly. I’m not describing this well- but it is simply brilliant. …Which makes the off center nose in this painting especially dissonant…. Absolutely brilliant!!!!
Bless you, PAMO! You make me blush. What a wonderful comment. Thanks!
-Don