SPLANS

I created the idea of SPLANS paintings (Surreal, Portrait, Landscape, Abstract, Nude, Still-life). The challenge is to combine these most common painting themes / subjects into a single, coherent image. I find the creative challenge results in interesting paintings that have complex themes, stories and puzzles. The hope was also that these would appeal to buyers as "Six paintings in one! Something for everyone to like." (Sometimes it seems to be something for everyone to dislike.)

Place the cursor over a picture to see a zoomed view. The paintings that use metallics are difficult to see properly in a photo. You can click on those to see a brief animation with moving light. Unfortunately, this still isn't as good as seeing the painting in person.

Note that any nudity in these paintings has been "airbrushed" out to make this a "PG" site. You can see the originals on Instagram.

Eye of the Beholder

The working title was Pretty. I was asking myself "Why has 'pretty' become a pejorative?" It seems obvious to me that there is value in things that are pleasing, regardless of whether they please one of the senses or some aspect of the mind.

Inspired by Jim Warren.

30" x 30"

The Dream

So many eyes - snake eyes, fake eyes, open, closed and hidden. It must be a lucid dream. There are elements "appropriated" from: Turner - background, Rousseau - lion, Giorgione - face, Kende - nude, Emanuel - nude, Greek (archaic) - urn, cave painting - Przewalski's horse

30" x 30"

The Garden

I've been reading about the Greek god Pan. Originally a god of wilderness and lust - part man, part goat - and in some descriptions a satyr. The early Christian church declared the lustful goat-man to be satan. However, less obviously, they incorporated a green man into the background of religious art and architecture as a representation of wilderness. In this piece I have recombined his component parts. Elements "appropriated": sky from Turner; jungle from Rousseau; fruit and flowers from Klimt, Cezanne, Manet, Bosschaert; Eve from Picasso; Adam from byzantine green man mosaic in Istanbul combined with a satyr statue.

30" x 30" NFS

Troublemaker

There must be a long back story here.

Inspired by Michael Parkes.

40" x 30"

Deep Desire

Any reference to Japanese "tentacle porn" is completely unintentional. The nude is based on La Maya by Goya.

23.75" x 36"

Snow Nymph

"Forbidden Desire" and the "Male Gaze"

23.75" x 36"

Kawaguchiko Spring

23.75" x 36"

A Babe in the Woods

I use this expression too frequently. This painting is my take on an inverse of the usual meaning. Elements "appropriated" from Friedrich, Munch and Frazetta.

23.75" x 36" WIP

Ancient

Three immortal goddesses and one unfortunate (maybe an) ipotane. The scene is ruins at Delphi.

23.75" x 36"

The Return

This started as a painting of an apple tree. I decided to add the obvious story elements, with a twist. In this version, Eve is mitochondrial Eve, everyone's great ...(about 15,000 times)... grandmother. In the far future she comes back to return the apple when we no longer need it.

23.75" x 36" WIP

SPLANS 1

This is the first SPLANS. The theme is about two different couples having a nice day in the park. There are elements "appropriated" from Delvaux, Magritte, Van Gogh, Bosch, Dali, Monet and Sturgess.

23.75" x 36"

	Eye of the Beholder The working title was *Pretty*. I was asking myself "Why has 'pretty' become a pejorative?" It seems obvious to me that there is value in things that are pleasing, regardless of whether they please one of the senses or some aspect of the mind. Inspired by Jim Warren. 30" x 30"
	The Dream So many eyes - snake eyes, fake eyes, open, closed and hidden. It must be a lucid dream. There are elements "appropriated" from: Turner - background, Rousseau - lion, Giorgione - face, Kende - nude, Emanuel - nude, Greek (archaic) - urn, cave painting - Przewalski's horse 30" x 30"
	The Garden I've been reading about the Greek god Pan. Originally a god of wilderness and lust - part man, part goat - and in some descriptions a satyr. The early Christian church declared the lustful goat-man to be satan. However, less obviously, they incorporated a green man into the background of religious art and architecture as a representation of wilderness. In this piece I have recombined his component parts. Elements "appropriated": sky from Turner; jungle from Rousseau; fruit and flowers from Klimt, Cezanne, Manet, Bosschaert; Eve from Picasso; Adam from byzantine green man mosaic in Istanbul combined with a satyr statue. 30" x 30" NFS
	Troublemaker There must be a long back story here. Inspired by Michael Parkes. 40" x 30"
	Deep Desire Any reference to Japanese "tentacle porn" is completely unintentional. The nude is based on La Maya by Goya. 23.75" x 36"
	Snow Nymph "Forbidden Desire" and the "Male Gaze" 23.75" x 36"
	Kawaguchiko Spring 23.75" x 36"
	A Babe in the Woods I use this expression too frequently. This painting is my take on an inverse of the usual meaning. Elements "appropriated" from Friedrich, Munch and Frazetta. 23.75" x 36" WIP
	Ancient Three immortal goddesses and one unfortunate (maybe an) ipotane. The scene is ruins at Delphi. 23.75" x 36"
	The Return This started as a painting of an apple tree. I decided to add the obvious story elements, with a twist. In this version, Eve is *mitochondrial Eve*, everyone's great ...(about 15,000 times)... grandmother. In the far future she comes back to return the apple when we no longer need it. 23.75" x 36" WIP
	SPLANS 1 This is the first SPLANS. The theme is about two different couples having a nice day in the park. There are elements "appropriated" from Delvaux, Magritte, Van Gogh, Bosch, Dali, Monet and Sturgess. 23.75" x 36"