THINKING OF ART

Some people have noticed my enhanced logo image on this website. Originally it contained my dragon motor scooter by itself — lovely to my way of thinking, That is, until the lady showed up in a painting by Georges Massias, commissioned around 1897 by the Gladiator bicycle company.

She is holding onto a Gladiator bicycle for a flight through the heavens. Why should she not hold onto my Dragon Vespa and take IT for a flight through the heavens? The pose, identical. Her flaming hair and soft radiant flesh harmonize beautifully with the scooter’s green and gold metal body.

Done deal. A new dimension has been added.

Unfortunately I can’t find out anything about the artist Georges Massias. He apparently is as obscure as Adrian Ruyle.

THINKING OF ART

Wayback Portraiture

Yesterday it was suggested I paint nudes as they might have been 20 years earlier. This may not be as far out as it may seem. I am sure Lucien Freud’s models would welcome it. ( The artist must have his little joke )

My friend the stripper Tempest Storm kept her figure, and performed well into her 70’s. In her performances she successfully de-emphasized`any minor wrinkles and the ineluctable effects of gravity.

Tempest Storm

This is my 4’ x 8’ portrait of Tempest, painted for the Mitchell Brothers establishment, back in the day. In her performances years later, you would hardly notice a difference.

Without giving away any secrets, I could adopt some of her mojo while painting what was before me. Like a techie applying a filter to alter a photograph, I would apply a ”Tempest filter” as i worked.

Say, maybe I’m in business! To get started with a client list, I should perhaps ask Lucien Freud for referrals!

THINKING OF ART

I am often asked about my models. Some are reluctant. Others are quite forward. One in particular , who repeatedly declined to be painted back in the day, told me 20 years later that she deeply regretted not having such a record of her former glory.

She would have hung my painting in pride of place over the mantel to show her grandkids where they came from — her luscious former self!

Another lady, hearing this story, asked if I could paint a portrait of her as she was 20 years ago. What an intriguing idea. It would to a greater extent bring psychology into play.

Whatever the artistic merits, she suggested it as a business plan.