Having the Blues
Drawing on paper. Colored pencil, ink. 8.5 × 11 inches. 2023
A Visual Lamentation in Surrealism
In Having the Blues, the artist delivers a vibrant yet deeply emotional piece that intertwines surreal abstraction with symbolism of struggle and longing. The central composition features an explosion of layered forms, radiating outward from a vivid, flame-like structure at its core. The saturated palette of blues, yellows, purples, and greens contrasts with the melancholic title, creating a tension between vibrancy and sadness.
Drawing on paper. Colored pencil, ink. 8.5 × 11 inches. 2023
A Visual Lamentation in Surrealism
In Having the Blues, the artist delivers a vibrant yet deeply emotional piece that intertwines surreal abstraction with symbolism of struggle and longing. The central composition features an explosion of layered forms, radiating outward from a vivid, flame-like structure at its core. The saturated palette of blues, yellows, purples, and greens contrasts with the melancholic title, creating a tension between vibrancy and sadness.
Drawing on paper. Colored pencil, ink. 8.5 × 11 inches. 2023
A Visual Lamentation in Surrealism
In Having the Blues, the artist delivers a vibrant yet deeply emotional piece that intertwines surreal abstraction with symbolism of struggle and longing. The central composition features an explosion of layered forms, radiating outward from a vivid, flame-like structure at its core. The saturated palette of blues, yellows, purples, and greens contrasts with the melancholic title, creating a tension between vibrancy and sadness.
The artwork's anatomical and floral imagery suggests a dynamic interplay between growth and vulnerability. The upward movement of flame-like shapes symbolizes an attempt to rise above adversity, while the earthy, rooted elements ground the piece in the weight of its emotional resonance. The circular, textured blue forms at the bottom anchor the composition, evoking both physical and emotional "blues"—a heavy, encompassing sadness that remains ever-present.
The title, Having the Blues, adds a dual layer to the interpretation. On one hand, it speaks to a universal feeling of melancholy or despair. On the other, the phrase could reflect a surreal and ironic perspective, as if the "blues" themselves are an entity being carried or nurtured, as part of the human condition.
Through its intricate design and emotionally charged forms, Having the Blues becomes a reflection on resilience, the burdens we carry, and the beauty that persists amidst sorrow. The work invites viewers to confront their own emotional landscapes and find a sense of shared humanity in its visual lamentation.
