Leviathan

Leviathan was one of the first large paintings I made in my previous art studio in Bushwick, Brooklyn, NYC. Painting that large with oversized brushes and using my whole arm instead of just my wrist was a different and fun experience after years of small, detailed work with a tiny travel art kit in parks and cafes. I was listening to the song ‘Ghost’ by Claptone feat. Clap Your Hands Say Yeah, and felt inspired by the deep beats.

When I thought it was finished, I clipped it up to the wall to start a new piece. But about 20 minutes later, I looked up and knew something was missing. I grabbed a small brush with red acrylic on it and added a small square of red and a couple of extended brush flourishes, which was just enough for it to feel complete.

The next day, that red paint had dripped down as it dried. I shook my head thinking I should have laid it flat overnight. But what I originally read as a mistake was actually a defining mark of the whole piece.

The red square was now a small red figure, hanging upside down from the mast of a ship. That's often how it goes: the thing you're sure is an error turns out to be the mark that makes the painting.

I asked my Facebook community to help me name it, and "Leviathan" won when someone looked at it sideways and saw a big ship with a tentacle rising through it. That perfect title kept the sense of a vessel on water while giving it the scale and mystery the piece deserved.

I was thrilled when the original painting sold to Mr. John Armato, a longtime friend and creative soul. John is a professional drummer and co-founder of Armato Barber Communications.

Original Painting:

22" x 30"

Black Ink, Walnut ink, Liquid Acrylic on Watercolor Paper