MANTIS POND

MANTIS POND
Originally uploaded by rsconnett

MANTIS POND - 12" X 24" Acrylic on canvas 9/2009

This is another 'interim' painting, (I will not call it a study) moving towards a larger piece 'UNDERWORLD IV'. This is character development. The cobra lilies are becoming more cobra-like. The caterpillars are evolving. The mantis is a new character, as is the black widow spider. There are many black widows were I live. They amaze me.

I'll probably move into the larger piece now. I've used this same palette and same basic theme in my last 3 or 4 paintings. I plan to continue specializing like this, continue to explore where this world will take me, until I have exhausted the potential of this world. That might very well be never.

If only I could live forever.

UNDERWORLD 5 ~ COBRA LILIES

UNDERWORLD 5 ~ COBRA LILIES
Originally uploaded by rsconnett

COBRA LILIES ~ 10" X 20" ~ Acrylic on canvas ~ 2009

Study #2 for the painting, 'UNDERWORLD 5'

This is (what I call) a study for the larger painting I'm planning. Before I begin painting the larger piece, I want to make sure I'm happy with the characters and other aspects of the painting, water, sky, plant colors, etc ... I think this one holds it's own. I dig the cobras and the guy walking through the swamp. He was an unexpected visitor into my world. I'm not sure if he will be in the big painting or not.

CHRIST SUFFERING FOOLS

CHRIST SUFFERING FOOLS
Originally uploaded by rsconnett

"JESUS CHRIST PORTRAIT #7"
An Acrylic Painting on wood panel
IMAGE SIZE: 11" x 14"

This is the 7th Christ portrait I've done in 24 months. I'm an 'Animist' myself, which is one step up, (or is it down?) from an atheist. I believe in everything and nothing simultaneously. Seems conflicted, yet somehow it works for me. In spite of this, I've always been interested in the image of Christ.

As a child brought up in a neighborhood of Irish Catholics, I was the only mutt from a family of unknown origin, and atheistic leanings. The icons at the neighborhood church, only a few doors away, of the bloody Christ figure in anguish, was one of the earliest images burned into my childhood memory. Of course, I was constantly told by my young peers that I was destined for hell, having no baptism.

Keep the faith baby!