"Mourning"

It was in a cemetary in Nice, France that I discovered this life size sculpture in marble,
upon the steps of a family tomb.

The commercial anti-appeal of such a painting as this has been pointed out to me more than once.
My answer to that is essentially that commercialism is irrelevant to me, and thus my general lack
of commercial "success." I've been encouraged my whole life to paint things that would have
mass appeal but I just can't bring myself to do it. I don't paint product. Virtually every painting
or drawing I've done has meant something to me. Each is a part of me.

I believe a piece of artwork should make its viewers think or feel something. Too much
of the broadly sought after art is simply pretty, or trendy, and entirely meaningless.

Finished early in '09, this piece was begun in a very dark time for me, thankfully passed now,
but nonetheless, it has great meaning to me. I hope that it can mean something to you as well.

Original painting in oil on canvas, 34" x 48".