Which brings us to the big block I've just started carving. It's the center panel from the next triptych from my "Booger Stew" series which is called "Electric Bologneland". Its all about the loss of American innocence, and how we as a nation are culturally and morally bankrupt. Its over kids. Sorry.
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| Drawing on the center panel at Evil Prints, St. Louis, Mo. March 2015 |
This new block triptych is inspired by all those great flemish painters (Gerard David, Van Der weyden, Van Eyck etc.), a little bit of Frans Masereel, some Heironimus Bosch, and of course Durer. As usual Durer is the major influence - this time specifically his Triumphal Arch of Maximmilian was THE big inspiration for me tackling such a huge print. I like the idea of monuments on paper, art pieces that have a function beyond just a window into another reality. Durer's (and his assistants! see Altdorfer and Burgkmair) triumphant arch is perhaps one of the greatest prints of all time, a royal's budget compromise in terms of self promotion and stature. Along with its triumphant procession, I've always been fascinated by the concept of works on paper that also function as objects. The triumphant Arch of Maximillian is a perfect example. Masterfully drawn and cut, it must have been the ultimate parlor piece as well as propaganda tool.
I also like sequenced stories that are told over multiple panels. Visual narratives seem to work really well when told in 3 pieces. Im sure there is an expert somewhere who can explain why that works so damn well. So, altarpieces are the way to go, and I have always been heavily influenced by the artists of the Northern Renaissance when it comes to triptychs. The best for my money was Roger Van Der Weyden (1399-1464) of Brussels. Not Much is known about the guy but he was a total badass painter who influenced many printmakers most importantly Martin Schongauer, a big hero of mine. Roger's works were large, dark, and elegant with the occasional flair for the violent. Deep space is also a prominent visual tactic employed by him, and I've always ripped him off as well the other masters of the north. By the way Id be totally rude to not mention Max Beckman here.....he loved triptychs too and i LOVE him!
Having sifted through all these hero influences, Ive been planning this new triptych (Electric Bologneland) for about 3 years. I was working on it while finishing the last triptych "The Tommy Peeperz". Ive now finished the drawing phase on the center panel and have started carving. This thing is a monster, literally and figuratively. (Is that the right usage?) Mermaids and Nazis in a noodling competition at the county fair. Yeehaw! Heres a peek at the drawing and some carving of a pile of fish. Its stained red so I can see it-just so you know. The block will probably take about 5 more months of carving every day to complete. I will certainly provide you with updates of the daily struggles! Stay tuned.......... I gotta get back to carving the bastard.
