"Rasputin"
7 x 11"
Acrylic on unmounted canvas
For Sale? (I'm deciding) ~ Contact me if interested!

<i>Thank you ahead of time for any favorites and comments!</i>

Didn't see this one coming, did you? If it makes you feel better, neither did I!

It is my custom to walk for at least an hour, preferably two, every morning to sort my thoughts, plan my painting and/or projects for the day, and enjoy some healthy mental wandering. During yesterday's walk, I remembered that I was going to introduce some friends to the Russian film "1612"* and realized I'd never done any Russia-inspired artwork. Russia = Rasputin in my brain, despite the fact he is one of the few historical personalities that I truly dislike. Photos of his body post-assassination (poisoned, beaten, shot, and drowned!) are less disturbing than ones of him alive, just <i>looking</i> at you.

There is a hint of green in his eyes (their actual color); all else is Payne's Gray and Titanium white, with Mars Black for his pupils and deepest eye shadows. The scanner picked up the canvas' texture a bit more than I would have liked--the background is smooth in person--but otherwise... damn, muse! I may have to do a historical portrait series of people who just creep me out.

*"1612" (made in 2007) is fantastic film if ever you get the chance to see it. My boyfriend and I found it at our rental house in NY and gave it a shot because 1) we like foreign films and 2) the cover looked just plain cool, which it proved to be. Think "Pirates of the Caribbean" + LoTR + "Legend" + Czarist Russia, and yes, it does all work! I'm surprised our copy isn't worn out yet, we've shown it to so many friends.

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<b>Creep your friends out with a Rasputin t-shirt! [link]

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<i>None of my images are to be used without express written permission. Woe to any who choose to steal, for so mighty is my art wrath, not even I know its bounds.</i></b>