INSPIRATION

The title of the painting "Once In A Lifetime" was inspired by the song of the same name by the band "Talking Heads” The lyrics discuss how life can pass by so quickly. I felt the painting was a good representation of this idea, The gestural abstract marks cutting through the face symbolize the passage of time passing before the eyes with chaotic speed. The overall direction and flow of the composition does have an uplifting feel to it, which could suggest grasping opportunities and making the most of them in what can be a fleeting life. I feel this positive spin is in contrast with the song which has a more pessimistic view.

I make use of some solarization style techniques, which is an effect originally used in photography. My main inspiration for this aesthetic is from Photographer "Man Ray" who used the effect in some of his work.

THE PROCESS

This piece started with some gestural marks using both a brush and spray paint can. Those initial marks provided the basis for the portrait which I began to layer on top of those initial marks. I slowly built the painting up layer by layer allowing areas from the background to peer through whilst covering others to give the work a sense of depth. The multiple layers of paint begin to create textures which provide further aesthetic interest.