The Widow of The Man Who Never Loved You

So, after nearly two months I finally finished the big secret project. And in all honesty, I really couldn't be more pleased with it. It is so rare when the image I have initially in my head actually looks like the final product. I have been staring at this thing for weeks, occasionally adding minuscule touches here and there, but I would say I have probably put almost 100 hours into finishing this. There were even a few points where I would wake up in the middle of the night to work on it ( I was convinced it was haunting me for a while ). How in god's name did this take 100 hours you ask? Well, because it is on a 4' X 4' hunk of wood. It is fucking huge. Not the biggest thing I have done, but certainly the most detailed and time consuming. I was getting so tired of laying half of my drawing abilities to the side to do client work, that when the opportunity came for me to work on this, I put everything I had into it. Coffee washes, tea washes, graphite, colored pencil, and brush and ink. Make sure you click on the images to get a full-sized, because this thing is ridiculously detailed. I have a habit of not slacking on the detail, no matter how big the piece is. And yeah, I used the exact same sized brush for this that I used on everything else.

I was asked to do a piece by the ole' Lloyd Dobler Gallery gang for an upcoming show entitled "Into The Mouth of The Wolf", which is a collective of horror art. Now, when someone asks me to do a piece for a horror show...I hesitate. People are talking all the time about how I make horrific and macabre work, but in reality I never agree. I like to make work that is uncomfortable to look at, but not exactly "scary". So I decided to go a different route with this, and actually make something that I thought was scary....and hell, it worked. I have been having problems looking at this straight on since I started it. This is also the only piece I have ever done exclusively for a gallery show, and chances are it will probably be my last.

Into The Mouth of The Wolf is next Friday, March 14th at the Lloyd Dobler Gallery:

1545 W. Division 2nd Floor
Chicago, IL 60622

and features the work of some fantastic artists including some of my old friends; Helena Kvarnstrom, Brendan Larsen, and John Twells (aka Xela). Three of the only artists out there who's work actually scares the hell out of me sometimes. If you are in Chicago you should absolutely stop by, chances are you will find me somewhat intoxicated on Schlitz and doing my best not to make eye contact with my own work ( let alone anyone that happens to show up ). Oh and if you cant make it during the reception, the work will be up for at least a few weeks...though I am not positive how long.

Also, I am considering selling this piece when the show is over. I don't exactly know who would want a 4' square hunk of wood with a melting woman on it, but if you are interested (and seriously so) please feel free to contact me.