Vegas Bound!

Gee, today was tough at work. So, I've decided to focus on something positive, my upcoming vacation. In a few weeks I'll be headed to Las Vegas. I've been to Vegas twice before. The first time I went alone (not fun). The second time I went with family (only a little more fun). This time I'll be going with a friend.

The first two trips I stayed at the Las Vegas Hilton. I indulged my geeky Star Trek fanaticism. But as we all know, Vegas isn't about Captain Kirk and the Enterprise. Its about worldly, decadant self-indulgence and this time I plan to thoroughly indulge. On my first trip I visited the other casino hotels. The one that stood out in my mind featured lush tropical gardens and a swimming pool that could be mistaken for a small lake. We'll be staying in the Mirage. The Mirage is the former home of Siegfried and Roy. I figured that if the Mirage has made those guys welcome for so many years, I'll fit in just fine.

Today's artwork is a portrait of a young man by the pool. I appropriately call it "Poolboy." I know there is really no great deep meaning in this work other than a simple admiration of masculine beauty. I painted this work a few years ago but decided to post it today in anticipation of what I might see around the pool at the Mirage. Its something to look forward to, right?

The medium is acrylic painted in watercolor technique on watercolor paper. Its painted from a photo I found. My personal technique is not sufficient to paint from a live model yet. But, I'd love to try. I work so slowly and fuss over the details too much to use live models. If I did, the model would be a geriatric and I'd owe him my life savings by the time we finished the sitting. I know, I know, I should practice drawing a little everyday to develop my eye/hand coordination. But, gotta work for a living you know. If painting paid the bills. . . . .

Let me know what you think.

Daedalus by Randall Good

This is Daedalus mourning the death of his son, Icarus (see previous post). This is the second watercolor I acquired from Randall Good's mythology series. I feel very fortunate to have it because it complements the Icarus work so well. Anyone who knows this myth should be struck by the tragedy of this story. To understand the anguish here, one must understand what has just occurred. Daedalus has managed to reach ground safely, however his son has not. I think Randall has expressed this tragedy/victory most effectively in the compositional elements of this piece. While the figure's body language very clearly reflects the sorrow this father feels, the upstretched wing expresses his victory in making a successful escape. I'm glad Randall used this element. The upstretched wing would have been a familiar symbol to the Greeks. It meant victory, as seen in the Athena Nike (or Athena of Samothrace). A life-size Athena Nike stood in the palm of the colossal Zeus, one of the seven wonders of the ancient world. We see it today on the tops of athletic trophies, as well as a stylized wing striping the side of Nike sneakers. This is also a watercolor study for a much larger work. In that piece, Randall juxtaposes an intense solar disk being bisected by the point of the upstretched wing. The counterpoint of the organic figure combined with the precise geometry of the sun's circle adds a poignant dimension to that work. Please visit the Blue Moon Art Gallery to see it. Their link is posted in my sidebar.

Icarus by Randall Good

I love beautiful artwork. I wish I could create it. But, try as I might I'm nowhere near the level of the serious professionals out there. So, since I can't paint it, I occasionally buy it. This is a piece from my very modest collection of work by the incredible artist, Randall Good, represented by Blue Moon Art Gallery in Hot Springs, Arkansas. The folks at Blue Moon are wonderful. More about them later.

This is Icarus. We all know his story. If you don't, please go back to seventh grade because you really should freshen up on your knowledge of mythology. It's part of our cultural heritage, don't ya know? This painting shows Icarus with his wings made of wax ascending to the sky just before he flies too close to the sun and then plummets to his sad fate.

This painting is a watercolor study for a much larger and more sophisticated oil that is absolutely luminous. Oh, that I could win a lottery, it would be mine. This work is one of two watercolors I acquired. The other watercolor is Daedalus, father of Icarus. I'll share it later. This work truly speaks to me. I love the upward thrust of Icarus' head as he defiantly stretches for the unattainable goal of the sun. In Randall's notes on the finished oil he talks about the warning to Icarus to not fly too high or too low. That is such a wonderful summation of the Apollonian philosophy of the ancient Greeks, "All things in moderation." What a great lesson for us even in the 21st century.