"BACK DOOR MAN"
"BACK DOOR MAN"
26 × 20
acrylic and oil crayon on canvas
A painting seems like an apparition that appears suddenly and unexpectedly, and has a presence of its own. A psychiatrist once told me, “Everything is not just black and white, that’s why they make 31 flavors,” but I like the uncompromising nature of this monochromatic palette. I love the silhouettes of figures, as well as the solidity built up by scribbly lines, and layers of paint combined with text.
A woman I know had a tattoo of a Chinese character on her shoulder. When I asked her what it meant, she said, “DREAM”. Sometimes I rely on hypnagogic images that occur at night right before I sleep or dream. These night images can look like the outlines of figures, like BACK DOOR MAN, or possibly like mouths with teeth, as in my wood pieces.
Shades of Eternal Night, by Cy Twombly was the inspiration for LIMITLESS. The concept of Limitless refers to the boundless nature of space, reality and existence. The secret door to Limitless is said to be hard to find. That is why there is a sign pointing, “HERE”.
I see these paintings as illustrations and comments on life. “BROKEN idols, broken heads…Seems like every time you stop and turn around, something else just hit the ground…” —Dylan
FOLLOW JEAN on Instagram @jeanplough.
26 × 20
acrylic and oil crayon on canvas