One Night Stand

2010

24" X 36"

Oil on Panel

Original SOLD...but Prints are Available

 

When John O’Hern was visiting my studio in the fall of 2010
he mentioned that he was planning the theme for the 2011 show
which he would curate for the Evoke Contemporary Gallery in Santa Fe, NM
and that it would be “Debauchery”.

I have always wanted to produce a painting worthy of being included in one of John’s shows
ever since the days when I was first working in my treetop studio
and he was the director of the Arnot Museum
and produced the magnificent series Re-Presenting Realism
which showcased the best in Contemporary Realist art nationwide.
I have worn out all the catalogues from those shows
studying and trying to learn from those modern masters.

He didn’t know it at the time, but after his visit I had decided to go for it.
I spent the winter digging deep into the depths of my own debaucherous nature.
The prop room windows steamed up with the quest for the lowest of the low,
the least pure of heart, the most likely to titillate.

This is actually a fairly accurate portrait of my studio
looking into the kitchen. The fire extinguisher, the hatchet and the hat
all live right where you see them.
The oars are on the other side of the doorway
and the pearls are usually tucked away
for special occasions
which may or may not involve
the red pumps.

But my all time favorite part of this composition was the camisole.
It was Polly’s.
I have to believe that she wore it but Ted doesn’t remember.
It doesn’t exactly scream stalwart New England Yankee
but in Polly’s case…it’s a good fit
with the mischievous sparkle that lived behind her eyes.

When I had it finished, and got up the courage to email the image to John
he wrote back and asked if it would be ok to laugh…
right before telling me that he had changed his mind
and the theme was now Decadence.

And when both this painting… and the Shrimp Bowl
were hanging in that Santa Fe Gallery last year
I put on the pearls
and the hat
and broke out the best bottle on the shelf

And raised a toast… to Polly.