O Muh Darlin

O Muh Darlin
Originally uploaded by Wilson Swain.

This image was up on my old website for the longest time, but I've since reworked it so that it looks more finished and the colors flow nicer. It's been a rough week here already, so new stuff will be forthcoming in the weeks that follow. I've mostly been reading, writing and putting my dramas to bed. These two seem a little tooth-goofy for my taste today, but they're not a bad sort. Happy Trails.

Visitor From Down Under

Visitor From Down Under
Originally uploaded by Wilson Swain.

I've been busy with my show opening this past weekend-- thanks to those of you who attended. This image is another short ghost story called 'A Visitor from Down Under' by L.P. Hartley. My take on it is more goofy and odd than scary, but I do love the spooky vernacular of a suspenseful tale. I may continue with stories like these, playing around with shadows and compositions or I may move on towards sweet goofiness. We'll see where I am next week.

Wax Poetic Gallery Opening

Wax Poetic Gallery Opening
Originally uploaded by Wilson Swain.

This Saturday, June 17 from 8 pm to 11 pm I will be having a gallery opening titled 'Wilson Swain & Friends present Animals in Clothing'. Come one. Come all. Bring your friends and I'll bring mine---well, the ones I could get ahold of, anyway. The location is 3208 W Magnolia Blvd, Burbank, CA. Prints are available. Also originals. Visit the gallery at www.waxpoeticgallery.com

The "friends'" websites are clickable under the 'links' column on the far right.

Bat Girl

Bat Girl
Originally uploaded by Wilson Swain.

A portrait for my upcoming show at Wax Poetic Gallery this weekend--Saturday the 17th from 8 to 11 pm. I was playing around with melding the wing into the dress. I'm not sure if she's lonely or waiting for someone. I've never been much for goth or horror so this painting looks pretty quiet to me. I just wanted to paint someone a little contemplative--so I don't have to be. I like the deep yellow sky. I'm not sure if it's night or day. I'd kind of assumed that that was the moon, but maybe the colors imply something else. Something's not quite right here.

The Judge's House

judgeshouse
Originally uploaded by Wilson Swain.

I've been reading a lot of ghost stories lately and this title kept getting chosen as one of the best. An academic student holes himself inside an old dilapidated mansion once owned by a malicious judge, who was bent on sending as many men to the gallows as he could. He even kept next to his chair, as a momento, the rope of his victims' noose converted as a bell pull.

During his stay, the student is plagued by rats and rodents deep into the wee hours of the morning. The old portrait of the judge can be seen reflected in the face of the chief rat and eventually the two become one. Rest assured....there are dastard deeds at hand. Two images this week. Check out my 'Animals in Clothing' below.

Wagon Wheels

wagonwheels
Originally uploaded by Wilson Swain.

I don't normally post two images a week, but with my show coming up in just two weeks (June 17th--Wax Poetic Gallery, Burbank), I figure a little extra promotion can't hurt. I recently viewed the old classic 'Stagecoach' for the first time--John Wayne's breakthrough performance. I've never been a huge fan of the wild west but these big red chariots have always held a little mystery for me. If I ever get the chance to ride in one drawn by a giant guinea pig--I'm there.

The Shadow of a Shade

visitorfromdownunder
Originally uploaded by Wilson Swain.

This short ghost story by Tom Hood tells of a young spinster whose lover dies on an expedition to Antarctica. His murderer returns to propose marriage to the greiving lady. But he is instead greeted by a haunted portrait of his victim and a moth that secretes bloody red drops. And then there's that extra shadow he casts, which bares no resemblance to his own.

I have a number of these black and white images from ghost stories I'll be posting. I love the macabre--especially simple quiet moments when 'something just isn't quite right'. The image doesn't make as much sense until you know the story--the beauty of illustration.

Reflections on a Hippo

hippo
Originally uploaded by Wilson Swain.

Early next month I will be having a show at Wax Poetic Gallery in Burbank titled 'Animals in Clothing'. I think this image cuts to the heart of the matter. It's composed so that the viewer is actually looking at their own reflection in a mirror. So I guess I'm telling you how to feel. Or I'm telling you how I feel? Probably not exactly. I recently made a trip to the LA zoo with a friend and we happened to arrive just in time to watch the hippos getting fed. I'm sure that's why I chose the animal. The titles 'hippopotamumu' and 'square of the hippopotomus' were both considered.

Rain Rabbit

Rain Rabbit
Originally uploaded by Wilson Swain.

Tut tut. I'm not sure if the rain is clearing up or gearing up. In any case, there are only a few drops at present. I think that the farmer seems to be looking upward, extending a paw as if to say 'take this' ...or maybe it's 'gimme'. I composed it like a stained glass window. Some friends saw a little mouse in the wheelbarrow, which I did not intend at first, but then decided to work him up. The crop, to me, looks rotten and reminded another friend of Courbet's 'The Stone Breakers'. We'll just call it an homage in fluff, fur and funny.

Polarbear Pirates

polorbears
Originally uploaded by Wilson Swain.

Sometimes I think I know what I'm painting about before I start. Sometimes I finish and get surprised. Last week's piece held no cynicism for me, so I must have added a double dosage to this image. Looks innocent enough at first glance, but then I noticed that the discs I've built this world out of are a reflection of the gold bits in the treasure chest at the bottom right.

Everyone in this image is motivated by money. Even the sun itself, which I thought to be a compass or a steering wheel as I was painting it, may be a dabloon--pieces of eight. Seven pirates and a wench. The dolphins are free.

Eagle

Eagle
Originally uploaded by Wilson Swain.

I don't have much to say about this one. It's a tiny painting, only about 4x6, for an upcoming show at Nucleus Gallery in Alhambra. It's less cynical than much of my work, but still absurd. They are bird people, afterall.

Cappuccino's Daughter

cappaccinosdaughter
Originally uploaded by Wilson Swain.

This may be a little small to view as a thumbnail (click to enlarge). Earlier I did a painting from Rappaccini's Daughter--the story about a man who's fallen in love with the poisonous feminine creation of an evil botonist. For silliness' sake, this time I drew the daughter of an evil coffee shop owner whose daughter is caffeinated to the touch. That's a distillery on the table and a mad Daddy Starbucks in the corner.