Content: This "self portrait" contains a naked figure, being pulled from different directions by phantom forces. The figure sits on a spiral, or webbed background. The imagery is meant to seem surreal or dreamlike.
Context: This person (it could be anyone, not just myself) has to contend with forces that he cannot see, but can most certainly feel,and must do battle with constantly to stay standing. These are the forces of ones' daily life. It is as much a balancing act as it is a fight to stay in control, and not be dragged down by any one or a few of these particular forces. The background is meant to spiral to give a feeling of continuance,the never ending cycle of life. At the same time, it is a bit of a "spiders web," to which the figure is also trapped against, as there is no escape from this world.
Form: This picture is meant to give a sense of motion, and balance. The background spirals, while the foreground is horizontal, as the phantom forces pull on the figure to the right and the left. This figure is trying to stay balanced and centered, but the forces of life pull him off center, and prevent him from maintaining a straight up and down position. He should appear as if he is being pulled one direction or the other rather slowly, and is fighting to stay in place or upright.
Technique: I used pencil, and chalk to draw out the initial drawing, and airbrush to fill it in. The airbrush helps give a soft, surreal, almost dreamlike feel to the image. The fantom hands are colored in with chalk, so that they are texturally different from the figure, as they are of this world, but not visible, merely felt.
© Jacob Wilkinson 2000
Art
58 | Digital Painting
Electronic Media | Department
of Art and Art History | CSU Chico