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December 04, 2016
Black Apple, the painting
I'm pleased to present to you my latest painting "Black Apple". The surface is a rich, dark, reflective gloss. Light reflects from it, you can even see your reflection in it if the light is right. A cold dark reflective design, broken only by hundreds of abrasions across the painting.
This work was a real challenge to complete. Soon after Apple released the new Jet Black iPhone, I knew I wanted to capture the character of it on canvas: shiny and perfect and so, so dark. And so I painted it, smooth and black and shiny... but after finishing it, I realized something was missing. I couldn't put my finger on it, it just wasn't complete yet. I pondered this for weeks, and then finally gave up... it just wasn't working for me. I decided to repaint the whole painting. As part of that process, I would have to sand the entire front surface so that the new paint would adhere. As I was sanding the front, it started to dawn on me... OMG the scratches were looking amazing! It was just what the painting needed to warm it up and give it character. I finished sanding, and then applied a gloss coating on the entire surface. I loved it.
It's kind of funny. New owners of the Jet Black phone are usually obsessively worried about scratching their new baby. But for my painting, scratches became the missing element. For some, the painting may symbolize the flaws and rough edges with technology, or perhaps even a comment on what some think is Apple's recent rocky road. But for me, the scratches and flaws are like the lines on a well-loved face, or the scuff marks on your favorite hand tools. Without them, there is a heartlessness of perfection. With them, a sense of humanity is brought to the object, a warmth that comes only with use. I hope it helps you look at other objects in your life that may have "imperfections", and appreciate them even more.
This painting is available for sale, just email Snaggy for details.
-Nitrozac
Posted by Snaggy at 12:49 PM