An Artist’s Journey, Transcending Nihilism and Loving It!
Beautiful trip to the framers today, even included massive tumbleweeds passing by. 4 works going to new homes. One piece I worked on for years, and cut it down from a full figure live size work to just the portrait. It’s the Rembrandt-like head. Fun detail is the only color are the highlights on the face and neck, the rest is grayscale. About it: It’s a spiritual self portrait, a compilation of different models, of how I feel when facing oblivion or nihilism. I get so calm, everything slows down, like when an athlete is so aware that a second feels like it expanded to an hour. So focused that nothing irrelevant surfaces, and a ruthless precision happens, that feels as innocent as zen. A another significant piece is an early self portrait in crayon, 1978 I think, I’d have been 22. A pencil portrait for lovers jumping, a wonder depiction of happiness. And lastly a powerful pastel from a live figure drawing session.
Michael, Idyllwild, February 2, 2022