PRessured blues

Acrylic & glue on canvas :: 36 x 54" :: 2007

Sometimes the pressure of life leaves you feeling blue. It is a mood that everyone has experienced. Some of us all too often. This is a self-portrait of the artist's psyche at just such a time. The figure in the center working is in direct contrast to the empty desolate city surrounding him. He is all alone, isolated. The pressure builds.

In the background, a full figure of the artist blending in with the clouds can be seen gazing into the sky as if imploring God, 'Why?'. The posters on the wall are all blank symbolizing lack of opportunity and scarcity of work. The pressure builds. At the bottom left, the artist can be seen working on his computer chained to the wall as if he has become a slave to his work. The pressure builds.

The silhouettes on the bottom right portray the artist and his girl and depict how the pressure from other events overflows into his relationship. However, the color scheme is decidely not dark or brooding. The blue tones are bright and uplifting, giving the painting an almost spiritual quality reminiscent of a church's stained glass window. A paternal face can be seen in the upper right corner, partially obscured by the skyline, winking at us.

As if to remind us that although at times life may get tough, it is never impossible. The sun, still glowing brilliantly in the center of the canvas, strangely appears to be ascending in the sky. An ever present reminder of the guiding light at the end of every dark tunnel.