Look Out For Each Other

Being a Werewolf

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Look Out For Each Other
oil on paper
16 x 20 inches
This item is unmounted and unframed
(click on the image to purchase)

“But perhaps the monsters needed to look out for each other every now and then.”― Sarah J. Maas
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It wouldn't be monster month if I didn't paint at least one monster.

And since we are quite literally surrounded by monsters in the United States at this time, it seems extra appropriate.

,But just like we're taking back frogs, fun and frivolity here in the PNW, it is time to take back monsters, too.

Monsters can be grown through things like abuse, neglect, brainwashing and gaslighting. But they can also be grown as a response to seeing these same things launched at others - growing fangs and fur in response to cruelty in the world around us (with thanks to a savvy Bluesky human for this idea). 

It is a challenge to fight a monster without becoming one. It may just be time to allow a little glimpse of the monstrousness within us all - even if clad in dapper apparel and rescuing damsels (and gents). And, as monsters, we can look out for each other.

I admit to being curious, dear readers! If you were a monster, which one would you be?

​Here's a little animation for your Monday!

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About the art: beginning with a piece of oil paper gesso'd in white, I roughed in the central figures with a wet brush and thinned oil paint.  A coat of loose background paint followed, cutting in to the figures to further refine the shapes.  A long drying time. Armed with inspiration images by Robert McGinness to inform the color palette and  style, I worked from the inside-out and top-down on the figures. Many layers of thinned paint, resisting the urge to make things realistic, embracing the abstraction of background and merging forms. Ending with the red tie and another layer on the background. And voila! A mod werewolf and his damsel, who are great company in the studio. 

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It's the final week for the October Reader Giveaway! You could win a "Question Exchange" with me - five questions of your choice (some from me, some from you) in whatever format you wish - email, text, voice message, Zoom, whatever! Let's get to know each other a little better. All you have to do to enter is leave a comment on any blog post this month. And as always, thanks so much for participating. :)