Keystone #5 Meat Grinder

10"x10" oil on canvas ••• The original title for this diminutive piece was actually going to be "My #@#?$%€ Meat Grinder from Hell That I Want to Fling Into My Neighbor's Yard." I thought it had a nice ring to it and, at the time, seemed wholly appropriate. You see, for such a small piece, I had spent far too much time on it and had over painted it—in other words, the piece and I were not on friendly terms. The original drawing (see below) had life to it, but the resultant painting did not. • Now, in such instances as these, I have varying options. The main three being: Let it ride and let the market decide OR completely scrape it off and paint something else later OR destroy-to-save. Destruction being a firm component of my bent personality (probably because I listen to way too much Tito Puente—he really attacked those timbales), destroy-to-save seemed the obvious choice. I pushed myself and attacked it, completely painting over and mushing into the original abomination. This rescue mission probably took about a quarter of the time it took to paint the original iteration and I think came out far superior with much more life. It also took a ton of paint, but my color work is more in sync, so it was worth the extra five gallons or so. • I sometimes tell people that the process of painting a 4" piece can draw out strong emotions and drain me just like a 60" piece can, and this #@#?$%€ little piece proves my point.

Posted August 9, 2018