Finally

Writing a review. . . You would not think that it would take that much energy to get around to writing an opinion about something. A review = an educated opinion. The piece I am going to talk about is a piece that my Father, also known as Mr. A or just Staks has done. He worked on this piece for quite sometime in between family and mainly his time in the Military. Of course, I am partial to the piece not just because I love Elephants but I admire the effort that my Dad puts into his work.

The colors in this piece are just energizing. He utilizes complimentary colors without that generic tackiness you see in a lot of art. He uses the colors intuitively and not just because something has to stand out or have contrast or something besides the same color that was used throughout a piece but a variation. Intuitive is hard for me to use when describing this artist. I know him personally too well to know that he just does not spontaneously make decisions. The intuitive part is due to the decision he makes and just does not know it or just not right away. The use of color also contributes to the “charging” nature of the composition.

Sure, the cartoon elephants are cute but the texture, size and just mere dominance of an animal this size is represented to the fullest. The animal is depicted perfectly, and yet has a character its own, not that of just another realistic drawing. Knowing the artist contributes to the character that is present. The large animal represents in my mind my Dad’s overwhelming feelings and dedication to a life the Conservative Republican way. How can Art be political, it has been since the beginning.

For some this will not be subtle, but for me it is. The donkey, it is oppressed. I think it is just representative of the consistent, aggressive nature of the Conservative Republican. I think the suppression of the donkey is representative of suppressing the ideas that lead us away from the very reasons we all choose to live here in America.

I am not positive to the exact date this was done but I would have to estimate the late 1990′s. The medium is Strathmore Drawing Paper, 18″ x 24″. Colored Pencil and Graphite for initial sketching.

Opinions not based on the review written but the piece itself are welcome.