FROM THE VAULT: CLAUDIA
Hello, everyone!
This painting dates back to 2007. At the time, I was developing a series of paintings that had a Southern-Fried, Thelma & Louise meets Justified flair to them. Each painting featured a scene taking place in the deep south during the middle of summer in a place without air conditioning. The paintings were filled with heat, sweat, and often the grime of a dingy environment. Almost a crime noir for the South, though I certainly wanted them to be fun as well.
Several paintings were started, and most came near to completion. I have never shown them publicly before, as I had intended on developing several more and release them together as a series.
Flash forward a few years, and I began to realize I had a substantial body of work around the studio that had yet to be unveiled to the public. This piece, though, always stumped me a bit. I had originally planned on having a neon glow creeping in from off camera, and maybe have some take-out Chinese food containers scattered on the floor. I wanted the scenario to be this woman on the run, plopped down on a bed watching late-night tv in a gritty motel room. I never got around to adding in all those flourishes, and looking at the piece with fresh eyes now, I’m glad I didn’t. I think it would have complicated the image, and there is a more subtle approach to the story as it stands now.
At this point, I’m focusing more on portrait painting and exploring a more natural palette, but I’ll always have a soft spot for these bright vibrant works. They were fun and adventurous for me, and represent a time when I was still transitioning from an illustrative approach to painting.
Special thanks to Claudia for actually putting up with me saying “It’s almost finished” for close to 5 years. Who would have thought it was finished all this time?
You can find this painting, along with others in the Misc Painting series, by clicking HERE
I am extremely grateful for everyone’s support over the years. As always, I would be grateful for any feedback you might have.
Matt Cauley
June 2, 2012
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