The work behind the works . . .

Occasionally another artists work "beats" me to an expression or feeling or experience I wish to portray. And often I find the best way to overcome the desire to "copy" or create something similar is to study the work by doing just that -- copying it! While working up ideas for the MS art show, "The Art of MS," I found myself wanting to portray what the MS hug feels like. However, Frank Frazetta had already created an image that conveys the sensation of having one's torso/chest compressed as if being hugged by a boa constrictor in his painting "Serpent." So I studied it to see if I could experience some of the genius behind this image.

I decided not to pursue this idea after doing this study because it would not be my own at this point. But I hope to do other concept studies of this idea to bring about an image that is original and unique, and perhaps in some way will serve as homage to this great master of intensity and freshness in the world of extraordinary subject matter.

R.I.P. Frank Frazetta, February 9, 1928 – May 10, 2010