Valin and the Flying Monkeys

Valin and the Flying Monkeys. (listen to the blog post by clicking the DOWNLOAD button below)

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“Valin and the Flying Monkeys” - oil on Yupo, 20 x 26 inches.  This item is sold unmounted and unframed.  (click on the image to purchase)

Valin could not escape the flying monkeys.

His mother said they appeared when he was born.  Bat-like monkeys who clung to him and hovered over his bed, and who later followed him to school and back again.  He and his parents spent many a day trying to figure out why on earth he was cursed with the creatures.  The village holy man gave Valin talismans and charms to scare off the winged nuisances.  The local doctor prepared tinctures and tonics for the harried boy.  His siblings tried using sling-shots to scare them away, but they only flew higher and higher, circling like vultures until the coast was clear.  Nothing moved the beasts from his side and his airspace.

Once he became a young man, Valin embraced his entourage and found them quite comforting.  Finding roommates who could deal with the mess and constant chatter was another matter entirely.

Oh oh OH and here we GO! 

Another piece inspired by a friend.  This one a result of a conversation about narcissists and flying monkeys.  I simply could not get the winged minions out of my head, and so they appeared in the paint.  In this case, the airborne companions became comforters instead of manipulative messengers.   Protectors instead of attackers.  A way of extending energy outward and upward.

That's one of the things about art, I suppose.  It allows us to transform one idea into another.  Because there are no limits other than our own imaginations. xo

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About the art:  another piece on dreamy Yupo, involving many layers and lots of drying time.  The goal with this painting was to catch that bit of light on the boy's face and forward hand, to play with fabric and folds and to amp up the value contrast.  Playing the "hard" red/orange background against the soft earth-toned left side border felt really effective.  And the diagonal bit at the top right gives a sense of depth and movement.  

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Thank you to everyone who left comments this month and entered the July Reader Giveaway!  Wonder Mike had a tough time choosing, and so there are THREE winners this month.  Congratulations to Charlynn, Lisa C-G and Thamer!    Please send your mailing address to Wonder Mike at [email protected].  A new contest begins next month! Huzzah!