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DEEP PURPLE


 (see key below)

This painting is dedicated to AZ Gallery and the friends I've made since coming back out of retirement as well as an homage to one of my favorite artists, Bill Plympton. It also contains the first actual "tag" that I did in this series at the bottom of the canvas.

Top left, in blue, a character similar to those animated by famed artist, and one of my biggest influences Bill Plympton. It is an incomplete face but the structure allows the mind to reconfigure the empty spaces and complete the process. 

Below left in red, my self portrait accentuating my scruffy beard phase.

Below selfie, you will find a small "SMURKS" tag and a heart below my chin.

Directly to the right of the heart you will see 2 hands, one in the green rock that crosses the middle, highlighted in red. It is actually the arm of a local artist and friend Ben Allen and the hand holding his wrist, highlighted in blue, is a tribute to a painting by local artist Boris Koodrin who made one of my favorite single paintings of all-time. 

Several different sized faces can be found throughout the piece.

Glowing coral and anemones highlight the middle of the piece.

"SMURKS" across the bottom, "52" my signature above middle.

This painting was the first that I challenged myself to complete after joining AZ Gallery, it ultimately helped me earn my residency at SIY Gallery and fueled the series.






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