GARISH: “rawr”; 2020; 20” x 30”, Mixed Media on Canvas
GARISH: “PlzNo”; 2023, Mixed Media on Masonite; 10” x 8”
GARISH: Loored; 2020; Mixed Media on Canvas; 48” x 36”
Garish: Yorick; 2020; Ink, Acrylic, Spray Paint and Graphite on Canvas; 16” x 20”
Garish: Bibliophile; 2020; Ink, Acrylic, Spray Paint, and Graphite on Canvas; 36” x 48”
“GARISH: Greatest Of All Time”; 2019, Mixed Media on Canvas, 16” x 20”
Hey, you wanna live deliciously? Dooya?
“GARISH: FiyaBoid”, 2019, Mixed Media on Canvas, 11” x 14”
“Garish: No Touchie!”, 2019, Mixed Media on Canvas, 11” x 14”
Most of the time when watching horror films, I look for shots or positions that I can modify and crop for new compositions for this series. I found this still and thought the expression was particularly poignant for the recent #metoo movement.
The hands are monstrous, grabbing, groping, slimy things - the woman, frightened to fight back, but restrained against speaking out.
"GARISH: SyFySeckspot - Teknobabel"; 2018; Ink, Marker, Acrylic, Spray Paint and Pencil on Canvas; 40" x 30"
Another in my SyFySeckspot deviation from the GARISH series...
Inspiration and references were compiled from Jane Fonda as Barbarella, as well as a prototype space suit on display at the Kennedy Center in Florida.
"GARISH: Abe", 2018; Ink, Acrylic, Marker, and Spray Paint on Canvas Board; 11" x 14"
Sometimes I like to be reminded how presidents should act.
"Garish: Dentata"; 2018; ink, Acrylic, Spray Paint, Pencil and Marker on Canvas; 8" x 10"
;D
"GARISH: Flora"; 2018; Ink, Acrylic, Spray Paint, and Marker on Canvas; 20" x 16"
1 of 2 pieces created for Urban Arts Gallery's "Once Upon a Time" show
"Garish: Fauna"; 2018; Ink, Acrylic, Spray Paint, Pencil, and Marker on Canvas; 20" x 16"
One of two pieces created for the Urban Arts Gallery's "Once Upon a Time" show
"GARISH: Ded Moroz"; 2017; Mixed Media (Ink, Marker, Acrylic, and Spray Paint) on Canvas; 20" x 16"
Created for my work's monthly theme of "Santas of the World" in the holiday season of 2017, this piece was inspired by the Russian "Santa", the Ice Wizard Ded Moroz. Admittedly, this isn't a direct traditional image of the character, more my pop-culture mash-up of Gandalf and Elsa..
"GARISH: Spectre"; 2017; Ink, Marker, Acrylic, and Spray Paint on Canvas; 20" x 16"
Done for the monthly theme at my work of "Tim Burton Films"
"GARISH: It's Only Forever"; 2017; Ink, Acrylic, and Spray Paint on Canvas; 30" x 40"
After Garish: Ziggy was so received by my patrons, I knew it was only a matter of time before I made another David Bowie Portrait. My inspiration came when I was watching Labyrinth one night while camping with my family at one of my shows this summer.
In the lyrics of "Underground", he sings, "It's Only Forever/ it's not long at all..."
"GARISH: Longing"; 2017; Ink, Acrylic, and Spray Paint on Canvas; 40" x 30"
When researching imagery for my GARISH series, I found this particular shot of Elvira, Mistress of the Dark. While the heyday of her popularity and fame is behind us, I saw the image of her looking off into the distance entrancing, as if she was wondering of what her life would be like without her past fame - a degree of anonymity. Or possible, even, a longing for the height of her fame in the past.
"Garish: MadLuv" (Full Size); 2017; Ink, Acrylic, Marker, and Spray Paint on Canvas; 30" x 40"
I thought these figures lend themselves well to the "Garish" series, and took a stock photo and modified the expressions and hand positions of the models to have the Joker more closely clutching Harley's arm, and her hand pressing weakly to his chest, as well as a worrisome smile escaping her face as the Clown Prince of Crime (whose face is modeled in my piece from the classic silent film, "The Man Who Laughs") pays her no heed.
"Garish: Rodentia", 2017; Ink, Acrylic, and Spray Paint on Wood Board; 11" x 14"
Sometimes, there is no underlying social or societal theme.
Sometimes, you have no huge statement to make with your artwork.
Sometimes, you find a photograph of British Actor and amazing comedian John Cleese making a silly face you think looks like a rat and you want to turn him into a mock-version of the classic horror film Nosferatu.
"Garish: I Laugh @ Dogfights"; 2017; Ink, Acrylic, and Spray Paint on Particle Board; 11" x 10"
Upon finding a reference photo online of a stern cat (not the heavily meme'd "Grumpy Cat") bedecked in a Pilot's Cap and Goggles.
The idea of a cat piloting a WWI era and taking on Snoopy's "Sopwith Camel" as his rival, the dreaded "Red Baron" piqued my interest, hence the red tinge to the cat's fur.
"Garish: Slothstronaut"; 2016; Acrylic, Spray Paint, and Ink on Canvas; 20" x 16"
I recently stopped production on my "Oldey Timey" series to produce "Garish" full-time. On this piece, the anthropomorphic qualities of "Oldey Timey" blend with "Garish"...
Sometimes you don't need an excuse or reason to draw a sloth who wants to explore space.
"Garish: Elder Mouth"; 2016; Ink, Acrylic, and Spray Paint on Canvas; 16" x 16"
When one often thinks of old people, they attribute wisdom and patience. But there is also the risk of fear of the new, hesitation to change, conservatism to old ideas, and outright outdated opinions. With time can come great wisdom, but we must not look to those who are our elders and the be-all and end-all of advice. The Elder Mouth may speak with wisdom, but the disease of preconception and hesitation may taint it's dialogue. In the end, we must decide for ourselves.
"Garish: No, YOU'RE awesome"; 2016; Acrylic, Spray Paint, and Ink on Canvas; 16.5" x 12.5"
When I found an image of a 501st member posing with his finger outstretched, I thought less of the obvious Uncle Sam/James Montgomery Flagg iconic poster connection - but rather, more about what Darth Vader would say to his legions of adoring fans. That, and I just want to hear the amazing James Earl Jones say that I'm awesome in his deep, rumbling bass between raspy respirator breaths...
"Garish: Romance"; 2016; Ink, Acrylic, and Spray Paint on Canvas; 20" x 30"
In this piece for "Garish", I transposed two portraits easily recognizable from film, but never actually on film facing each other. I like to think that The Bride could see through the ugliness to what lies underneath, and they could have a relationship built on trust and attraction of emotional breadth, rather than first impressions...
"Garish: Purple Haze", 2016; Ink, Acrylic, and Spray Paint on Canvas; 24" x 30"
When I found a photographic pose of Jimi Hendrix (who has reached almost cult-like status for his self-taught playing of a left handed stratocaster right handed...) in a pose reminiscent of Durer's "Self Portrait at 28 wearing a Coat with a Fur Collar", I knew I had to modify the image with a "Garish" treatment and include a nimbus of light around Jimi's head reminiscent of a halo.
"Garish: Tubby Trooper", 2016; Ink, Spray Paint, and Acrylic on Canvas Board; 16" x 20"
Uniformity be damned. "Short for a Stormtrooper", Fat for a Stormtrooper... ALL troopers are beautiful.
Only those of us who stand out from the pack get to influence the pack. Conformity never changed anything.
"Garish: Eye Ray (Irie!)", 2016; Acrylic, Ink and Spray Paint on Canvas Board; 12" x 16"
Often, I'll listen to a variety of music that fits my mood or the mood of the piece I've been working on. Once, while jamming to Bob Marley and the Wailers' B sides, the Rastafarian interjection of "Irie!" was shouted. Instantly, I thought of the laid back Bob unleashing Superman-like heat beams from his eyes, lancing through the audience and burning all in his ganja-fueled haze.
"Garish: Ennui", 2016; 20" x 16"; Ink, Acrylic, and Spraypaint on Canvas Board
I look at several people who have untold successes, and see more and more the disillusionment of their hard work and efforts - the state of being that comes with having endless wealth and/or fame creates greater difficulty for the endorphins to be created...
"Garish: Facade"; 2015; Acrylic, Ink, and Spray Paint on Canvas
Robin William's death touched many lives, but his comedy and film work were much more prolific than just a madman's antics. Looking through the many images that graced media in the years following his death, a photograph of a bearded Williams stuck with me.
Giving it the Garish treatment, William's beard and hair have taken on a more firework-like image, while the inky blackness that surrounds him works its way into his face and underneath his skin.
"Garish: Fatherhood", 2014; 16" x 20"; Ink, Spray Paint and Acrylic on Canvas
I often wonder how close the ideal of Fatherhood is for the Animal Kingdom is to our own ideals - and whether I am doing as good a job as I could be...
"Garish: Sick 'em!", 2014; Ink, Acrylic and Spray Paint on Wood; 20" x 24"
We are no strangers to chemical warfare - we are continuing to find better and more effective ways to make our fellow man suffer before perishing. The title of this piece is in reference to the phrase "Sic 'em". inciting attacks by a dog. But with our subject, the soldier and his canine companion are protected from gas and chemical attacks, hence the "Sick 'em!"
“Garish: Panic!", 2014; Ink, Spray Paint, and Acrylic on Wood, 20" x 24"
There is fear, and there is what is worth fearing. There are no monsters, just animals science has not classified yet. There are no enemies, just people we do not understand. There is no hate, there is only fear and misunderstanding.
Our panic is what causes us pain. Our understanding is what will give us solace.
"Garish: Ziggy", 2014, Acrylic, Spray Paint and Ink on Canvas, 18" x 24"
David Bowie's interpretation of human sexuality and androgyny as Ziggy Stardust has inspired countless glam rockers and performers to this day. This persona and his over the top use of makeup, hair and costuming to cement the character makes him a logical choice to include within the "Garish" Series.