POP Religion
The series "POP Religion" came about in a natural flowing process . Artistic, intuitive research into myth and spirituality over a time period of several years (I may even say, several decades, or a lifetime), has inspired me to create this series. Led by my Muse I witnessed the evolution of a cohesive/confused concept that has kept me painting, creating with enthusiasm. It has been a revolution in my mind expressed and communicated with paintings. The images display a sincere/ironic vibe.
POP Religion, the concept, in 25 words or less:
This series is artistic research into the human need to believe in something, anything. It is a quirky personal pantheon of reverent/irreverent images. POP Religion believes in Gods, Goddesses, Celebrities, Royalty, Art, and QUESTioning.
These writers on myth theory have influenced my thought processes; Joseph Campbell, Sir James Frazier, and Carl Jung.
Cardinal Woman
Acrylic on canvas, 20"x16", 2014
Digital painting, 23M flat file, 2023
Hey yall, we are not going to live forever. In the words of Gauguin, "Where did we come from. Why are we here. Where are we going?" You wont find any answers here, just some confounded meandering.
Saint Louis Cathedral
acrylic on canvas, 36"x48", 2006
This painting, was created seven years ago. It was made at a time when I was exploring the textures of acrylic impasto. I am using it now to introduce POP Religion
Holy Ghosts hover in the alcoves of a woozy church. Maybe, it is better not to enter. Are you brave? I don't know, it is all so confusing. This is not a real church it is a painting. POP Religion is not a real religion, or is it? Is it a hoax, a joke or a concept?
Belushi Bacchus
oil and acrylic on canvas, 36"x48", 2012
Bacchus is the god of Mardi Gras. He reigns over hedonistic abandon. Woohoo, he is the party god. His revelers act out impulses beyond the borders of social constraint.
Bacchus, (Dionysus to the Greeks), is the protector of those who do not fit into conventional society. He symbolizes chaos and danger, the escape from human reason. Bacchus worshipers seek a place beyond the borders of the known and civilized. His is a freedom, mystery religion.
Prometheus in his Sean Connery Incarnation
Acrylic on canvas, 48"x36", 2014
Digital painting and Epson print, 17M flat, 2013
details
Prometheus brought fire to humans when they were shivering and ignorant cavemen. The big honcho of Elysian Fields, Zeus, CEO of the heavens, wanted to keep fire, (a metaphor for intelligence) for himself alone. Prometheus stole fire from Zeus, so he was punished with eternal suffering. This Promethean savior of humankind was chained to a rock, an eagle attacked and ate his liver everyday. Overnight his liver grew back, only to be eaten again.
Recently Prometheus has been reincarnated as Sean Connery. After enduring the sadistic punishments of Zeus, this is like a vacation incarnation for him. He enjoys being 007 and a movie star.
Marilyn Aphrodite
acrylic on canvas, 24"x24", 6/2013
Marilyn Monroe is the reincarnation of the Greco-Roman goddess Aphrodite/Venus. She celebrates the sensuous symphony of physicality. Marilyn has captured popular imagination since 1952, in my opinion that qualifies her for goddess status.
Oprah Cleopatra
digital print
detail
Breaking news!!! Hot flash!!!
It has been discovered that Oprah is the reincarnation of Cleopatra!
Cleo had grown bored of everlasting languid lounging on the loveseat in LalaLand. So she reinvented, reimagined and reincarnated herself as the Queen of Television.
This important event has been verified by Archie Long, an archeologist in Egypt who is an old and dear paramour of Oprah's. Upon close examination of the famous Cleopatra Odalisque Statue of Giza, he found a gluteal area tattoo with phallic symbolism. He was surprised and excited to find the unusual ink that matches the exact tattoo and placement he fondly remembers stroking on Oprah's caramel skin. The tattoos match perfectly, it can not be a coincidence. They prove beyond a shadow of a doubt that the TV Queen was previously the Egyptian Pharaoh Queen.
Tune in to award winning program TELL IT LIKE IT IS, tonight on the Irreverent Channel. Clark Kent presents an in depth interview with the renowned archeologist Archie Long. This amazing, ground breaking discovery will change your life. Don't miss it. Tonight, channel 9393.
John Lennon Jesus
Digital painting and Epson print, 22M flat, 2013
Love one another. All you need is love. Love your neighbor as yourself. Give peace a chance.
Mary, Queen of All
mixed media on canvas, 24"x18", 2010
details
Mary, Queen of All
This vibrant picture speaks of compassionate love. A collage of pictures of a variety of women form the familiar Mary image. Janis Joplin appears in the heart center. Compassionate goddesses are worshiped historically world wide. These forgiving, supportive myths speak to a deep need for the enveloping arms of perfect motherly love.
The artistic process for this picture started with my collection of original digital female figure paintings, created over several years. The layout was plotted digitally and puzzle like sections were printed and cut out using archival Epson ink and paper. The cut out collage elements were then embedded into layers of acrylic paint. Golden brand acrylics were used to create a pearly glowing halo.
Baby God Crying
oil, acrylic on canvas, 36"x48', 2013
Artist have continually mined the rich vein of the artist giants that came before. In this painting I "mash-up" a thirteenth century Mary picture with a realistic Jesus, throwing a tantrum.
Mary and Krishna
oil, acrylic on canvas, 36"x48", 2013
Yashoda and Jesus
oil, acrylic on canvas, 36"x48", 2013
"Mary and Krishna" and "Yashoda and Jesus", are companion paintings, titled together as "Switched at Birth". These paintings illustrate the similarities in religions world wide. Birth of a savior stories contain universal elements. They teach us that people everywhere seek the sweetness of protection and compassion.
For more info about these pictures and the similarities of Jesus and Krishna myths, see my blog entry for June, entitled, "Mary and Krishna, Yashoda and Jesus".
Jagger Devil
acrylic on canvas, 24"x24", 7/2013
The devil is a convenient repository for all that is judged as negatives. He is the basement closet where badness is locked up. With a devil thought concept evil is nicely organized into one hated mind space. With a devil for scapegoat humans can imagine that negativity is isolated from their everyday existence. No pantheon is complete without a dumping spot for evil.
Bleeding Jesus
acrylic on board, 16"x20", 2011
The Christian myth of Jesus fulfills a chasm of human needs. Here is a god that can save us from ourselves. Humans are driven more by primitive emotions than by reason. Emotion trumps reason. Human behavior is frequently self defeating and socially counterproductive. Jesus suffered for our sins. He offers redemption. I don't know about you, but I need to be saved from a lot of my stupid mistakes, my past actions. Redemption myths offer hope that we may be "more better" in the future. Hope that our regrets may be washed away with blood and we will be sin free, white as snow. Well, it is nice to think so, except for all the blood, which is gory.
The Source of Water
Acrylic on canvas, 24"x18", 2008
The metaphor images of woman/water has historically reoccurred in art. Vemeer painted "Woman with a Water Jug, in 1660. In 1856 Ingres painted woman as a spring, bringing forth water, he was inspired by an earlier painter. Woman and water as the source and spark of life, weaves through art history as a iconic thread of human existence.
Water is more necessary for life than food. A person can live for weeks without food, without water he may survive at most a few days. We are at least 80% water. Before entering this earth through the woman birth canal we float in a watery womb.
Water reflects light. It is also transparent, revealing another layer, a fluid realm beneath the surface.
The pairing of woman and water celebrates the amazing fertility of life.
Phoenix Flying
Digital painting and Epson print, 21M flat, 2013
The mythical Phoenix bird is the original come-back-kid. She lives and soars for 1000 years. At the end of the millennium she crashes and burns. The Phoenix dies by fire every 1000 years, then she rises from the ashes, reborn, to live and soar another 1000 years. This myth fulfills our need to be reassured that we can rise from the ashes of our stupidity (personal stupidity and racial stupidity) and finally get our shit together.
Gidget, Gadget and Gizmo
Digital painting, Epson print, 18M flat, 2013
This is just a funny little picture at the end
A few notes:
This blog entry was updated September, 2014
These writers on myth theory have had influence on my thought processes; Joseph Campbell, Sir James Frazier, and Carl Jung.
Many visual references have contributed to this series, too many to name.
My posts are unedited, any misconduct is my error, mine alone.
I rely on Wikipedia for reference.
