"Freeze"

6 x 8"

oil on panel

sold

I've written about Andy Warhol, the famous Pop artist, and his fascination with idols like Marilyn Monroe, Jackie O, Mao Zedong and yes, Elvis Presley.  With movie stars, he was enamored with the oversize posters promoting the films, selling these celebrities like Campbell Soup labels sold soup. Warhol produced multiple silkscreens of Elvis, in many different ways - this one being two color silkscreens next to two grey-scale screens titled Elvis I & II.

Speaking of the King of Rock n' Roll, the image Warhol used was from the western Flaming Star that came out in December 1960.  His first "serious actor" role was void of any musical numbers.  A month, a month before, G.I. Blues came out and diehard Elvis fans LOVED it.  Plenty of music in that film satisfied audiences but the comparison was inevitable when Flaming Star premiered - proving his fans didn't share his dream of becoming a serious actor.  Another western was in the works, but the Colonel made sure he wouldn't attempt that again.

"Black and Blue"

6 x 6"

oil on panel
sold

For many, I hope you are home safe and sound and ready for snowmageddon - I was hoping we'd have a little of that here in Atlanta.  

My work days were interrupted by my 19-year-old furnace dying, fortunately it was replaced yesterday - so now we're broke but warm and happy.  So the painting goes back on to recover from that.

I could go on and on about Andy Warhol, but most people know how brilliant, odd, prolific he was.  One of my very favorite movies is Basquiat - the late, great David Bowie portraying Warhol.  Great flick to stream in this wintery weekend.

"Wallflower"

9 x 12"
oil on masonite
sold

This painting was taken literally from my photograph - her sweater really did match the blue in the Warhol painting. So I had the choice of changing that, which would seem to make more sense, only I remember the moment I saw her in front of this painting - thinking she could very well have been part of the piece. And it added some fun.

This painting will be included in 16 Patton's upcoming show Small Works: Little Gems, opening November 22nd. Please click here for a larger view.

Other stuff to mention ........ if you haven't looked at the 83 different cow paintings and drawings on my blog Different Strokes From Different Folks, you're missing out. There are some incredible pieces - kudos to the artists who participated.

Also ...... I'm outtahere for a couple of days for marathon picture taking in our nation's capitol. I must be feeling patriotic these days. Happy trails and I'll be back this weekend.

"Big Hair"

8 x 10"

oil on masonite

sold

Here is another painting I manage to complete - no warming up today - I just jumped right in. These two young women were intrigued with Andy Warhol's "Gold Marilyn Monroe", which hangs in the MOMA in New York.

Click here if you'd like a larger view.