Flower Breeze

 Flower Breeze

archival digital print,5/18/21

close up

Three Graces, Good Vibrations

Three Graces, Good Vibrations

digital, 12/14/19

John Wayne Moses

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

John Wayne Moses, Code of the Cowboy

digital painting, 195.4m

In ancient times, Moses handed down the "Ten Commandments".  On May 26, 1907, Moses reincarnated as the movie actor, John Wayne.  As John Wayne, the deity delivered the "Code of the Cowboy".  Mucho macho patriarchy.







 

Brangelina Mere Mortals

Brangelina Mere Mortals

We will all die,

sooner or later.
So seize the day.

 

POP Religion

pop art

pop up gallery

popsicle

poppa

pop up toaster

pop tart

pop tart

pop, pop, fizz, fizz

pop gun

pop, pop, bang, bang

pop goes the weasel

pop U lar

pop U lated

pop up book

pop ideology

pop dogma

pop sin

pope

pop on ice

pop rocks

pop rx

pop corn

pop fever

pop riffing

  Brought to you by the  More Guts Than Brains Coalition.



  

 





Tripolo Gallery, POP Religion Show

Tripolo Gallery

POP Religion Art Show

Save the date:   Opening, this Saturday, August 9,  6pm-9pm.  Paintings will be on view for several weeks.

323 North Columbia Street, Covington, LA, 70433.
 Phone 985-789-4073.

I am so pleased that the wonderful and gracious Donna Duffy is showing my paintings from the "POP Religion Series" in her beautiful Tripolo Gallery. I hope that you will take this opportunity to see my work looking good in this gorgeous setting. The gallery is in the charming old town section of Covington  with coffee house, restaurants, fine shopping and lots of art nearby.

The list of paintings to be shown is still in the decision making process. We will surely hang, "Jagger Devil", as it is an exciting attention grabber.  I know that you want to see it as a painting, looking so much more vibrant than its appearance on your computer.  "Marilyn Aphrodite" will be flirting off the wall.  "Belushi Bacchus"  will be leering his crocked smile.  "Baby God Crying", will be screaming his head off.

 Also, I want to show a few works from the "Radiance Series", just recently painted.  I have been trying to put into words what this series is "about".  An artist verbalizing what images are "about" is treading a slippery slope, that might be better avoided, however, people ask, and it seems that words must be produced.  I wish that the images would visually communicate, almost psychically transport, from my mind to your mind, but not everyone is fluent in the language of images.  Words help to bridge the gap.

  The "Radiance Series", are pictures of women's faces, but they are not portraits, they are studies of psychological or spiritual states or moods.  I think that three of the paintings tell a story of emotional growth.  "Pensive", shows a deep contemplative state.  "Dragonfly Woman", is awakening to expanded consciousness. And "Endurance Fluid",  is experiencing the consciousness state of nirvana.  So, these three will make a nice exhibit trio.

I am not re-posting these pictures, you can just scroll back to the two most previous entries to see them.

I hope to see you at the opening, but if you cant make that, the paintings will be hanging for a few weeks and you can pop in to take a look.

POP Religion

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.

 

Yashoda and Jesus



Mary and Krishna

Oil on canvas, 48"x36", 2012

 

 

 

Antenna Gallery, Mixed Messages

 

These two paintings will be in the Press Street's Antenna Gallery, Mixed Messages exhibition.  Opening Saturday June 7, 5pm to 9pm.  On view through July 1.  Gallery hours 12 noon to 5 pm, Monday through Sunday. Call 504-298-3161 before arrival. Address:  3718 Saint Claude Avenue, New Orleans, La.  Hope to see you there!

 

SWITCHED AT BIRTH is a pair of paintings,

MARY WITH KRISHNA and YASHODA WITH JESUS

 

These two paintings are from the series, "POP Religion".  POP Religion explores the myths that humans live by with irreverence/reverence and with humor.

 

In this pair of paintings the babies are switched between the two mothers.  The Caucasian mother holds the blue skinned baby, and the blue Indian mother holds the pink baby.  The Christian Mother Mary is holding the Hindu Baby God Krishna.  The Hindu nurture Mother Yashoda is holding the Christian Baby God Jesus.

 

The inspiration for these pictures is the similarities between the births, myths and teachings of Krishna and Jesus.  Similarities between Christianity and Hinduism. 

 

Both Krishna and Jesus were divinely conceived, brought to earth via miraculous insemination.  God planted holy sperm seeds in the human mothers' wombs. 

 

Krishna was born in a prison, Jesus was born in a barn (manger means a feeder for livestock).  So they were both born in lowly, unlikely places.

 

Both Krishna and Jesus were hybrid human and immortal Gods.

 

As Gods incarnate in human bodies, both were the chosen Saviors of flawed and suffering humans.  Both Gods were dedicated to saving humans from themselves.

 

Both Krishna and Jesus were humble and lead simple ascetic lives.  Both associated with downtrodden people.

 

Both healed the sick and raised the dead.

 

Both taught tolerance, mercy and kindness;  compassionate love.

 

There are many similarities in their lives, leading some scholars to theorize that the two myths stemmed from the one same story, and the differences in the myths are explained by their word of mouth retelling over time and traveling over a geographical area.

 

Other scholars, like Carl Jung postulate that the many similarities in not just these two myths but in many myths worldwide and over historical centuries is a result of an oversoul or spiritual connection between all humans everywhere and for all times.

 

Another factor in the similarities of world wide myths is the universality of the human dilemma.  In the words of artist Gauguin, "Where did we come from?  Why are we here?  Where are we going?"  We cant stand not knowing.

 

POP Religion is influenced by the writings of Joseph Campbell, Sir James Frazier, Carl Jung and by historical visual depictions of world wide myths.  The seriousness of these influences is balanced by humor.  Because if we cant laugh at ourselves, then we are really in trouble.

 

 

Note:  the "Yashoda and Jesus" picture here is the digital image that I used as preliminary study for the canvas painting.  The painting is different, the figures are similar but the background of the canvas picture is of clouds. 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 



 

 

 

 

 

 

 



 

 

To See Beyond the Dogma

Digital painting, created 2/21/13

 

 

To See an Angel

detail of To See Beyond the Dogma

 

 

detail

 

 

To See Beyond the Dogma was created, according to my files, on 2/21/13.  I have been painting in the studio, so do not have a new digital image to post at this time.  This image was created about 14 months past and illustrates, especially by the title, my enduring concern with religion and spiritualty. 

 

After a childhood of physical abuse in the name of THE LORD, I had a plethora of hungry issues.  I foraged in the hills and the valleys, in the cities and the wilderness, grazing on food for my soul.  I have been a Methodist, and a, I forgot what you call it, an extreme form of Christian, oh yea, a Fundamentalist.  I have been an agnostic, an atheist, and a pantheist.  A freethinker and a Buddhist and a New Ager. If I had only stopped at agnostic, my brain would not be as overstuffed as a Kardashian Kloset.  A vague, freeform pantheism best satisfies my spiritual hunger.   

 

I have had "spells"  of mystical states since childhood.  I don't know why some people, like me, are inflamed with a spiritual itch, and other people think that the whole searching endeavor is ridiculous.  I am resigned to being confused in my verbal mind, but fairly content in my soul.  It is more than words.  It is the occasional experience of ecstatic states that convinces me there is more to life than concrete reality.

 

And, you know, I try to be kind and loving.

 

A few weeks ago Second Son and Grandgirl and I were in the feed and seed store shopping for parts for the wood burning stove.  I said to Son, within earshot of Grandgirl, "We brought you here to sell you".  Grandgirl thought that this was funny (funny points for Gramma).  I thought that it was very funny because it was so daring.  Son was not pleased.  I need to apologize.  Later, I felt ashamed, and resolved to edit my speech better.  I resolved to be kinder. 

 

I was reading, "Anna Karenina" by Tolstoy.  Near the end of the one thousand pages, Levin, (the character that Tolstoy most identified with), had a spiritual epiphany and decided that after all the philosophical catastrophe could be easily solved with simple kindness.  He resolved to be more kind.  Shortly after that he was riding in his buggy and berated his servant driver over an insignificant incident. 

 

The next time I saw my son I ganged up with his wife to gently pick on him.  This won me much needed points with Daughter in Law, but Son was annoyed.  This kindness practice takes practice.  I will keep trying. 

 

The angel in this picture was downloaded and worked in Photoshop.  She is a vintage ceramic piece.  I salute the people who designed and created her, whoever they are.  Her eyes are rolled back in her head, eyes rolling back can signal a mystical trance. 

 

 

 



 

 

 

 



John Lennon, More Popular Than Jesus

 

 

 

John Lennon, More Popular Than Jesus

Pop Religion Series

 

In 1966 John Lennon stated to the press that he was "More popular than Jesus".  The quote ignited a press and public feeding frenzy. 

 

People and groups rapidly chose sides.  Christians castigated him for the sacrilege they perceived. Ministers, screaming from the pulpit latched onto the statement to prove that Rock and Roll was an instrument of the devil.  Religious commentators, foaming at the mouth, declared the event as a sign of the impending apocalypse. Perky teeny boppers,  bristling arrogantly with righteous indignation, made bonfires of their Beatles albums while being filmed for national television.  It was an altogether exciting public event.

 

I think that younger people who were not present at that time may wonder what all the clamor was about.  Back in the day religion did not have a sense of humor.  (I am not sure that there has been much change in this attitude?) Religion was deadly serious.  The consequences of breaking the strict commandments meant serious punishment after death.  For John, a mere human, to infer that he was in the same class as the god Jesus was shocking sacrilege.

 

 

In this picture John Lennon is an avatar of Jesus. 

 

There are similarities between John and Jesus. Similarities in their teachings and in their life.  Both were impossibly idealistic.  Just because ideals are impossible does not preclude believing in them.  We need guiding stars,  simple and sweet works.  Alice Wonderland believes in three impossible things before breakfast. 

 

John sang "Imagine all the people living life in peace". 

 

 Jesus said, "Above all, love each other deeply, because love covers over a multitude of sins."

 

Both Jesus and John were martyred.  Both were murdered in the prime of life. 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Here is what Wikipedia says about the event:

              

History of The Beatles
The Quarrymen In Hamburg At The Cavern Club Decca audition Beatlemania in the United Kingdom North American releases In the United States 1966 More popular than Jesus Studio years In India Break-up Reunions Line-ups Religious beliefs Timeline
v t e

"More popular than Jesus" was a controversial remark made by musician John Lennon of the Beatles in 1966. Lennon said that Christianity was in decline and that the Beatles had become more popular than Jesus Christ. When the quote appeared in the American teen magazine Datebook, angry reactions flared up from Christian communities in August 1966. Lennon had originally made the remark in March 1966 during interviews with Maureen Cleave on the lifestyles of the four individual Beatles. When Lennon's words were first published, in the London Evening Standard in the United Kingdom, they had provoked no public reaction.

When Datebook quoted Lennon's comments five months later, vociferous protests broke out in the southern United States. The Beatles' records were publicly burned, press conferences were cancelled and threats were made.

 

IMAGINE

Lyrics to John Lennon's song

 

Imagine there is no heaven
It's easy if you try
No hell below us
Above us only sky

 

Imagine all the people
Living for today

Imagine there's no countries
It isn't hard to do
Nothing to kill or die for
And no religion, too

 

Imagine all the people
Living life in peace

You, you may say I'm a dreamer
But I'm not the only one
I hope someday you will join us
And the world will be as one

 

Imagine no possessions
I wonder if you can
No need for greed or hunger
A brotherhood of man

 

Imagine all the people
Sharing all the world

You, you may say I'm a dreamer
But I'm not the only one
I hope someday you will join us
And the world will live as one


Hey you! Thanks for stopping by.  I gotta go now.  I think that my brain programming is wearing off.  Gonna go watch the tube now.  My favorite new programs are:  "Fear and Loathing"  and "Moan and Whine."  I also like Lena Dunham's new show,  "Mastering Manipulation".

 

Conspiracy of the Gods!! Prometheus Tells All!! part one, Intro

 

 Conspiracy of the Gods!

 

RED HOT NEWS!  See it here, the exclusive Natural Inquirer  interview with Prometheus,  the Bringer of Fire.  The WakiLeaks whistle blower who is both criticized and worshipped, tells all to hot shot reporter, Cherry Belle, of the Natural Inquirer.

RED HOT NEWS!  Prometheus tells all!  Conspiracy of the Gods! 

EXCLUSIVE! HOT SHOT REPORTER, CHERRY BELL, INTERVIEWS PROMETHEUS!

 

I waited with pleasant anticipation in the fabulous Lizard Lounge of the Hotel California.  Looking around, I decided that the softly lit, art deco style lounge was my new favorite comfort zone. 

Prometheus, looking very hot indeed, in his young Sean Connery avatar incarnation, appeared in the lounge entryway.  Ah, yes, he IS a Greek God, I sighed, I almost swooned, as he sauntered through the door of the lounge.  Behind him was the sparkling hyperlight of the lobby. The bright back lighting silhouetted his wide shoulders and narrow hips, (OMG!).  He walked with a languid, powerful grace into the twilight of the lounge. 

I waved and he came and set opposite me in the booth. He was right on time for our appointment.

Our server, Swishy, struggled to maintain a professional demeanor, as he stared at Prometheus. He took our order and wiped the drool off of his chin with the back of his hand. I smiled in secret amusement at the server's loss of poise. I was feeling a bit shaky myself.  Of course it is stunning to see a real God, right there in front of your face.  We were both awestruck.

Swishy was cute and charming. He served our refreshments with a dramatic flourish and barely contained adoration.  I expected him to bow at any minute.  Prometheus had an Evian water, I had a Singapore Sling.  (Just shut up! I know what time it is.)

After the required few words of small talk, I cut right to the chase, "Tell me Prometheus, everyone wants to know, why did you leak that astounding information about The Conspiracy of the Gods?"

His voice was deep and melodious, it thrummed in my belly, "Well, Cherry Belle, I believe that the people should know about this huge conspiracy that effects every aspect of their lives.  Even though it happened over 100,000 years ago, the conspiracy has long ranging effects people.  The Gods endeavor to keep humanity unenlightened, you might say that they want people to be stupid.

You see, in Heavenly Olympus everything is perfect.  Perfectly boring. The Gods, Zeus, Hera and their friends need something entertaining for couch potato time.  After a hard days work creating planets and animals, naturally they want to veg out with a little mindless entertainment.  So they turn on the Omniscient Power and spy on humans.

Humans are constantly creating problems, issues, and drama.  If you were rational and disciplined then it would not be so much fun to spy on you.  Your madcap behavior entertains the Gods.  You are the TV of the Gods.  YOU are the ultimate reality show.

(Maybe you thought that you were having Truman Show delusions, but this is true.)

"Prometheus, what do you say to your critics?  They say that you are a traitor of the status quo.  You are a whistle blower, you gave all the secrets to WakiLeaks, some even say that you are a sacrilegious devil.  They say that you are a thief, that you stole from the Gods.  What do you say to them?"

"Thank you for asking, Cherry Belle, I am the liberator, I brought fire to earthlings, for this I was severely tortured. With fire, earthlings were able to crawl out of the mud and create civilization.  Fire gives people light, warmth and cooked foods.  Fire is a metaphor for intelligence.  It is true that humanity continues to be greatly flawed, but without the enlightenment of fire Earthlings would still be groveling in the dirt, literally and figuratively."

....to be continued....
To be continued, episodes will be published when I get them written.  I am working on pictures and writing the story.  Please follow the story and be patient.

Impertinent Asides

In Greek mythology the immortal Prometheus defied the gods and gave fire to humanity.  He was tortured with cruel and unusual punishment for this theft.  Almighty, King of the Gods, Zeus (played by Brad Pitt) had Prometheus chained to a rock in the Caucasus mountains.  Each day an eagle was sent to feed on his liver.  Each night his liver grew back to be eaten again the next day. 

Fire symbolizes en-LIGHT-enment, intelligence. With fire humanity progressed and created civilizations.  We crawled out of the mud and created cities, cars, computers, Square Pants Sponge Bob, and cat memes. 

In other words, according to the ancient Greek myth there was a conspiracy of the gods to keep humans ignorant!  Prometheus wanted to empower people but the gods, with Zeus as leader, tried to prevent our rise. 

I knew it!  I knew there was some weird deep shit happening that makes people so irrational and counterproductive.  We can blame it on the gods. A conspiracy of the gods.

It is convenient to have someone or something to blame for the chaos of life. We certainly do not want to take personal responsibility for the exciting and interesting mess where we find ourselves.

 

Conspiracy theories proliferate and breed like frogs.  Mysteries surround the Kennedy assassination, the death of Marilyn Monroe, and even New York 9/11. "The government" has covered up the truth, at least that is what many people think.  Me, I am maintaining an open mind.  I am entertaining all options, you know, I am confused.

Scholars note that conspiracy theories, once limited to the lunatic fringe have become commonplace in mass media.  Conspiracism has emerged as a cultural phenomenon.  (Wikipedia)

As we humans search for meaning in this time when the economy is a roller coaster, when "the news" is a celebrity flaunting her bikini body. In this time when we have sent people, people in the flower of youth, to war for what ten, twelve, forever years now, but really do not see much about the war on "the news".  Where are the pictures of the coffins?  At a time when even "the news" is subject of conspiracy theories, we search for meaning and understanding.

Wikipedia info:

Conspiracy theories:

As a predominating cultural phenomenon replacing democracy as the dominant political paradigm[edit source | editbeta]

Some scholars argue that conspiracy theories once limited to fringe audiences have become commonplace in mass media, contributing to conspiracism emerging as a cultural phenomenon in the United States of the late 20th and early 21st centuries, and the possible replacement of democracy by conspiracy as the dominant paradigm of political action in the public mind.^{[8][10][11][12]} According to anthropologists Todd Sanders and Harry G. West, evidence suggests that a broad cross-section of Americans today gives credence to at least some conspiracy theories.^[1

Prometheus:

In Greek mythology, Prometheus (Greek: Προμηθεύς, pronounced [promɛːtʰeús]) is a Titan, culture hero, and trickster figure who is credited with the creation of man from clay, and who defies the gods and gives fire to humanity (theft of fire), an act that enabled progress and civilization. He is known for his intelligence and as a champion of mankind.^[1

The punishment of Prometheus as a consequence of the theft is a major theme of his mythology, and is a popular subject of both ancient and modern art. Zeus, king of the Olympian gods, sentenced the Titan to eternal torment for his transgression. The immortal Prometheus was bound to a rock, where each day an eagle, the emblem of Zeus, was sent to feed on his liver, which would then grow back to be eaten again the next day

How Have I Offended Thee? Let me count the ways?

Poppies

Inkjet print, 2011

 

 

 



 

Three Eyes

Inkjet print, 2011

 

 

How have I Offended Thee?

Let Me Count the Ways

 

OMG!  My art is offensive!  OMG!  Offensive, tacky, scary and embarrassing.  Incomprehensive, seemingly pointless.  It goes beyond the boundaries of good taste.  People are frightened.  My family is embarrassed. They are afraid that their friends will find out about me.  I have heard thinly veiled suggestions regarding medication.  There are some twists in my artistic path that are shocking.  Frightening!  It seems that I have not only offended the Christians;  New Agers and atheist also beg to differ. Dog lovers, dog haters and compulsive shoppers are avoiding me.

 Everyone else is just laughing.  Laughing at me or with me?

I am so sorry.  I apologize if I have offended you.  No offense was intended.  May I offer an explanation?  I have art brain.  This is a poorly documented anomaly of human neuroanatomy.  It is a disease, recognized by very few doctors.  Symptoms include lack of boundaries and an ineffective inner brain editor which leads to inappropriate behavior.  Please pardon me, the devil made me do it.

Actually, my Muse made me do it.  If I don't follow her she pouts and goes away.  She requires free range.  Without her, I get artist block.  Without her, yes, I could paint and write, but it would be boring.
 

Oh, Yea!  Take a look.  Beware, art may scramble your brain.  And you may not like that, because it makes you think.  It is a challenge.  It may shock you out of the doldrums. Shake up complacency.



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 Office of Reason and Good Sense
333 Pennsylvania Avenue
Washington, DC

                                                                                                                                        

Dear Janet, 

There are some things that we need to discuss.  I am trying to help you to be successful, I am taking my valuable time to speak to you for your own good. 
 

First of all, a little alliteration is nice, but too much repetition is just annoying.  Hyperbole has its place, but please, do tone the exaggeration down.  And irony?  Irony is tricky,  some people don't get it when you write the opposite of you intend to communicate.   So, please refrain from irony.  Are you actually aiming to convince people that you are crazy? Or, is that just an accidental effect?

 

Throw "cute" in the trash.  How do you expect people to take you seriously when your so called "work" is just too cute?

 

Most Important!  For Gods sake, stay away from religion and spirituality.  No one really cares and you don't know what you are talking about. 
 

 Don't you remember?  Two gallery curators, the people that can help you exhibit your work, have rejected your pictures because of the twisted religious aspects.  Are you listening?   If you want to be recognized as an artist, then you need to have broad appeal.  They told you, two influential taste makers told you,  "We like the pop art, but not the religious pictures."

You are doing it all wrong!

 

Stick to light and fluffy.  You can make "nice pictures",  people want to be reassured.

You must be consistent, find a pretty style and stick to it. No one knows what to expect from you.  Changing styles every few years doesn't work.

 

I know, you are confused.  Is that your tag line now?  Listen up.   Being confused is not a good way to brand yourself.   Don't embarrass your self.

 

I don't want to tell you these things again.  You are bright.  Listen up.  The annual evaluation is coming up.  So study the guidelines, and follow the rules.

 

Sincerely yours,

The Voice of Reason

 

 

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Lets Paint

Conspiracy of the Gods

 

I am working on a picture and story of Prometheus, Bringer of Fire. Prometheus is an ancient Greek Celebrity.   The working title is,  Conspiracy of the Gods, "Prometheus Tells All". 

 

Red Hot News!  See the exclusive Natural Inquirer interview with Prometheus,  The Bringer of Light.  The WakiLeaks whistle blower will explain the devious behavior of the Gods.  He exposes the ancient conspiracy to keep fire from humankind.
 

 

         

How Have I Offended Thee

part two

 

 

That writing that I did, the "Lets Gossip Barbie", was over the top.  It offended Christians, New Agers, and the complacent majority with it's subversive insinuations.  There was a lot of silly sex.  But I think that the most material that caused the most offense, had to do with compulsive shopping, which, along with dissing dogs, maybe a TABOO subject. 
  

ART is a vast planet, with rivers and mountains and forests, there are mysterious, unexplored regions.

 

I invite you to journey with me off of the map.  I want to help you open your mind, help you be the driver of your own life.  I want to scramble your preconceived notions.  Question the architecture of your belief system.  Don't forget to pack your sense of humor.

My work uses surrealistic art references to access the unconscious.  The unconscious parts of our brain have a huge influence on our behavior.  Perhaps, by making the irrational visible, we may come to know ourselves better.  If your brain is scrambled, maybe you will put it back together, maybe, you will reevaluate your thought processes, and be better than ever.  

Oh, yea!  I hope that it upsets your programing.  Believe it or not, you have been programmed.  All that stuff that school taught you?  Much of it is just crap, wrong.  Did you go to church?  You are really programmed.

 You have watched a hundred jillion advertisements, all intended to make you feel inadequate, an inadequacy that only expensive products can allegedly soothe.  All intending to program you into being a good little consumer. 

You have been molded into a cog for the consumer culture, a huge machine that makes stockholders rich.  And, puts you in debt so that you are slaved to a shit job.  Think about it, darling.

(I do recognize some boundaries, for instance I will not urinate on religious icons, like the most successful living artist of the day did. Damien Hirst used shock tactics to jump start his career.  I may be irreverent, but I do not want to be seriously inconsiderate to the people who have found some comfort in religion.)

12/9/13  
I was reading over this blog today and recognized a mistake.  Damien Hirst did not make the "Piss Jesus" art work, Andres Serrano made it in 1987.  Damien Hirst floated a dissected baby calf and a zebra in formaldehyde.  The similar offenses here are the source of my mistake.
 

 

In these words and pictures, that I post online, I most sincerely hope to communicate from my consciousness to your consciousness. Bypass the rational and communicate directly brain to brain. I color out of the lines of social constrictions to irreverently and subversively, challenge you to think for yourself.

 

OK, well, that is an overly ambitious goal.  Maybe, this is just a bunch of bull shit that I have made up to entertain myself. Whatever!