John Lennon

Description

MEDIUM: Oil on panel
IMAGE SIZE: 12" x 16" x 2.1875"
OVERALL SIZE (INCLUDING 'FRAME'): N/A

This portrait was painted based on two references... The book, “John Lennon Unseen Archives” by Marie Clayton and Gareth Thomas was the primary image source. A black-and-white photo of John walking hand-in-hand with Yoko [hurriedly] down a [NY] street illustrated perfectly the tone and attitude I was looking for off of which to base a portrait of one of my favorite song-writers. The photo itself captures Lennon in a state of focused determination, as if where he is going (or leaving) with his wife at that particular time is the most important thing there is.

The shot is candid and tense, and nearly depicts anger or frustration – maybe that day was a bad day. I like that. John Lennon never tried to hide his flaws and, in turn, his humanity. Honesty imbibed most every verse and every chorus he wrote. He revealed himself as a suffering, scarred, frightened and, at times, helpless human being through truly inspired and heartfelt music. Plus, he was wry, sarcastic, and prone to violent outbursts. As far as abusive husbands and negligent fathers go, he was a top-notch artist.

The second image source was the photo from the liner notes of the “White Album;” if you have the album, you know which one I mean. The photograph is in color and, therefore, from it I was able to get a feel for the BASIC flesh tone Lennon sported. Now, naturally, my stylistic ambling yields a decidedly broad area of “tweaked” coloration and texture. I don’t think a painted portrait should look too much like a photograph... If you want a photograph, go get a photograph. A painted portrait should be, in a fake word, “painterly.”

This painting is varnished and the deep cradle is finished in black. It is wired and ready for hanging.

Thanks for looking.

- John

Added on Nov 12, 2009