July 16, 2008

Blah,Blah, Blah
2007
acrylic on hemp and organic cotton
38" x 38 "

I painted Blah, Blah, Blah when I first became a vegan and was excited to share all the information I was learning about the way foods are being processed and animals mistreated. The woman a the top is visually based on my daughter which represents those who don't listen but look away. In her case it is assumed that she is reacting by an outside source looking at her. The person to her right (our left) is visually based on my neighbor (a friend). This figure represent those who can absorb information but notable to process it correctly and implode. In this figure's case we just see the beginning with a crack throughout his head and his facial expression of pain.

The books in the protagonist's (me) arms are Vegan Freak by Bob and Jenna Torres and Animal Rights, which is a made up book based on Podcasts by Gary Francione, Eric Markus and Collen Patrick-Goudreau

I had seen a barred owl in the woods during the time I way creating Blah, Blah, Blah, felt it was a special few minutes and wanted to mark the occasion in this painting.

The symbol that the owl is siting on is "Om" which seems to have many meanings, I've seen it used in several different cultures. In sanskrit I believe it represents original (first) sound but most recently here in the U.S. is known to represent yoga.

The mountain, ferns and trees are all inspired by the area I live in. The animal at my feet is my departed dog Jackson (he was blind when I painted this as you can tell from the color of his eyes)