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Comments by David Derr on his Mixed Media works
_THE GREAT AMERICAN PASTIME
MOTION STUDY
NOTHING ATOLL
OASIS WITH NUDE
OASIS
OASIS WITH SUN MOVEMENT
THE PINK BLANKET
Some friends and I were on a camping trip to the Pine Barrens in NJ in the early 80's. We were all artists except for Jim who we convinced to pose for us, This piece is an image transfer enhanced with pencil which gives it that delicate dreamy feel.
TIGHTROPE
SIREN'S SONG
When the lust for wealth is all consuming it's sweet song of success can lure the best onto the rocks.
SHADOW
THE PORTAL
WORLD VIEW
DAY-O
VERTICAL RECUMBENT
CARPE DIEM
CAT AND MOUSE
THE GENESIS TILES
FOREIGN POLICY
THE APPIAN WAY
FAR FROM HOME AGAIN
FOR LOVE OF MONEY
THE CHARMED BARON
THE BIG BLUE
AA MINISHAKE
STILL LIFE WITH BOOKS
SHIP OF DREAMS I
TULIPS
STEEPLE CHASE
THE JURY
A jugy of peers all different yet with common bonds. Done in conjuction with artist Nancy Egol Nikkal for a show called "Double Vision" in which artist worked together in various ways to create new works.
CRUISE LINE (1991)
This piece and the one below were originally commisiond by Time Warner City Cable for cruise party invitations.
MANHATTAN CRUISE (1992)
See above.
REMEMBERING
I was reading Proust"s Rememberance of Things Past when I created this piece.
THE RINGMASTER
I will not deny the influence of Alexander Calder's Circus when it comes to this piece, I've always admired his playful style and use of bold colors.
I DREAMED A GENIE WITH A BIG ROUND HEAD
As a child I used to dream there was a large picture window next to my bed which I would go through and visit unusual places. Fortunately I also had a guardian on these excursions and although I remember it being a good natured giant ape I believe the genie in this picture reveals its true essence.
FUGUE WITH 5 CATS
This piece has components in it from an exhibition of Etruscan art that I attended as well as antique Chinese toys. The three heads and the circular motif lends spiritual overtones to the painting. It is also somewhat mocking in regards to how we all take our religious/spiritual life so seriously, flocking in "birds of a feather" groups for reassurance.
THE NIGHT HAS A THOUSAND EYES
I had a lot of fun doing it, so my inclination is to say that it is about play. It was my first foray into using digital components in a piece. This was also the time that I was consciously using more childlike and primitive forms. The piece expresses a combination of joy and paranoia, much like the feelings I had as a child.
The night has a thousand eyes,
And the day but one;
Yet the light of a bright world dies
When day is done.
The mind has a thousand eyes,
And the heart but one;
Yet the light of a whole life dies
When love is done
- Francis William Bourdillon
WILDLIFE
I had so much fun with the main figure in "The Night Has A Thousand Eyes" I just had to use it again. Images of birds and fish appear again and agin in my paintings. It's probably a childhood thing. When I was an infant we had a budgie that used to dance on my head and as for fish I've always loved them but not to eat, it also could have some relationship to early christian symbolism.
SAVE THE LAST DANCE FOR ME
This piece was inspired by a story in Susan Feldmann's book "The Story-Telling Stone". Unfortunately its been many years since I read it so I'm no longer sure which story it was. It may even have been a combination of a few.
EL VIAJE
I was reading and listening to tapes by Clarisa Pincola Estees (“Women Who Run With the Wolves”) when I did this piece. It is about a journey through the doors that open and close to us during our lives and the choices we make to go through them or not.
HARLEQUIN HORSE
Chagall meets Calder.
COO
The original title of this was going to be "Bini Nodus" (Pair Bond) . I've always loved the hypnotic overtone to this piece, just like any couple we are entranced by each other sometime one overshadowing the other often positions reversing themselves, where the hypnotist becomes the subject.
THE CELLIST
THE GUITAR PLAYER
THE TAMING OF PEGASUS or GUMBY AND POKEY ON MT. OLYMPUS
OLYMPIA MEETS THE VOODO QUEEN
This was done specifically for an exhibition called "Olympia" whose goals it was to reinterpret Manet's masterpiece. My take was a little less serious than many in the exhibition. It was also the first piece I completed after an accident which shattered my upper humerus and required that I have an titanium implant.
LET YOUR CONSCIENCE BE YOUR GUIDE
And the Blue Fairy said: Now, remember, Pinocchio: be a good boy. And always let your conscience be your guide.
Not always so easy is it?
Collage of colored copies, acrylic paint and pencil
ON CLEAR SUMMER NIGHTS I SING DUETS WITH THE MOON
As well as being my favorite painting/intaglio title (to date) I was going for a simplicity of line and shape akin to ancient or aboriginal cabe paintings, but in my usual way image intertwined, one becoming an essential part of the other.
THE ELECTRONIC BABYSITTER
A comment on using TV to keep the kiddies quiet rather than engaging them in creative human interaction
GHOST IN THE MACHINE
The body and the mind are ordinarily harnessed together, but after the death of the body the mind may continue to exist and function. This piece is comprised of two polaroid image transfers, reworked with colored pencil
DONKEY OTE
Part of the short lived Literary Allusions series
ANTIE MAME
Just a play on words of the book and movie by Patrick Dennis.
THEY CALL ME FISHMEAL
Part of the short lived Literary Allusions series. Of course it is play on the opening lines of Moby Dick
LITTERARY CRITIC
A statue has never been set up in honor of a critic. — -Sibelius
NATIONAL GEOGRAPHIC
An island beauty, I spent many hours as a child and young adult looking through the pages of National Geographic dreaming of beautiful, exotic, places and people, and yes the photos of bare breasted women were an integral part of my puberty (at least I'll admit it).
This piece is comprised of two polaroid image transfers, pencil and oil pastels.
ICKABOD CRANE
Part of the short lived Literary Allusions series. Based on a character in The Legend of Sleepy Hallow by Washington Irving
MEDUSA
Part of the short lived Literary Allusions series . Inspired by the myth of the medusa.
TRIPLETS
BODY AND SOUL
BODY OF EVIDENCE II
DANCE OF THE MINOTAUR
IRONBOUND
This piece was one of a series of pieces done using cut up photos, laser printed acetate and acrylic paint.
It relates both to bodybuilders and a section of Newark, NJ called The Ironbound Section.
HARLEQUIN
Mixed Media collage using photos, color copies, b&w copies on acetate, acrylic paint and string
OBSESSION
At some point in our lives all of us have become obsessed whether it be with a new love, an old love, ideas, art, or any of the myriad things we as humans desire to fill a certain emptiness. Mixed Media collage using photos, color copies, b&w copies on acetate, acrylic paint and string
A CLASSIC CASE
This is about a fall from grace or at least a perceived one. I'm sure everyone feels that they have experienced this at least once in their lives.
VASILISA AND THE GOLDEN SHIP
Taking liberties with Russian folktales
SUN DANCE
THE ADORATION
This painting was inspired by an evening vision of the "Cradle Moon" with Venus hovering just above it. Call me sentimental but moments of simple beauty brought into being by complicated celestial events are worth serious contemplation.
More info on moon phase names.
January - Wolf Moon
February - Snow Moon or Storm Moon
March - Worm Moon
April - Pink Moon or Seed Moon
May - Flower Moon or Hare Moon
June - Strawberry Moon or Dyad Moon
July - Buck Moon or Mead Moon
August - Sturgeon Moon
September - Harvest Moon
October - Hunter's Moon or Blood Moon
November - Beaver Moon or Snow Moon
December - Cold Moon or Oak Moon
Blue Moon - When 2 full moons occur in a lunar month the 2nd full moon is called a Blue Moon
THE AMBASSADOR
PRAYER
DEEP TIME
This was inspired by a book by Gregory Benford (“Deep Time”) which discusses how humanity communicates across the millenia. The piece meshes the linear style of Egyptian, Mayan, with a little touch of Chinsese artwork as well as incorporating elements from early sumerian alphabets.
BIRD IN HAND
Bird in Hand incorporates many Sumerian cuneiform symbols as well as figures in yogic and ballet stances. The heads of the figures are a combination of instruments and parts of a gondola. For me the building represent a library of knowledge, both scientific, cultural and spiritual written knowledge that needs to be protected from the the ever present danger of religious fundamentalism that is pervaiding the world at the moment.
THREE AND THE MOON
The title of this piece came from a book of French folk tales. The content of the book really has nothing to do with this picture but it matched so much I couldn't help using it. Three and the Moon is basically a family portrait of my wife, myself our first dog and our bird all melded into one intricate family unit. It is also about love and illusion, I'll leave that one up to you to figure out. The figure at the top I call "The little old lady who was a shoe", and as often fish make an appearance. Also under the main figure is my homage to an old cartoon show "Colonel Bleep"
NOCTURNAL MISSION
Night swimmers, find a breeding vessel.
MOTION STUDY
NOTHING ATOLL
OASIS WITH NUDE
OASIS
OASIS WITH SUN MOVEMENT
THE PINK BLANKET
Some friends and I were on a camping trip to the Pine Barrens in NJ in the early 80's. We were all artists except for Jim who we convinced to pose for us, This piece is an image transfer enhanced with pencil which gives it that delicate dreamy feel.
TIGHTROPE
SIREN'S SONG
When the lust for wealth is all consuming it's sweet song of success can lure the best onto the rocks.
SHADOW
THE PORTAL
WORLD VIEW
DAY-O
VERTICAL RECUMBENT
CARPE DIEM
CAT AND MOUSE
THE GENESIS TILES
FOREIGN POLICY
THE APPIAN WAY
FAR FROM HOME AGAIN
FOR LOVE OF MONEY
THE CHARMED BARON
THE BIG BLUE
AA MINISHAKE
STILL LIFE WITH BOOKS
SHIP OF DREAMS I
TULIPS
STEEPLE CHASE
THE JURY
A jugy of peers all different yet with common bonds. Done in conjuction with artist Nancy Egol Nikkal for a show called "Double Vision" in which artist worked together in various ways to create new works.
CRUISE LINE (1991)
This piece and the one below were originally commisiond by Time Warner City Cable for cruise party invitations.
MANHATTAN CRUISE (1992)
See above.
REMEMBERING
I was reading Proust"s Rememberance of Things Past when I created this piece.
THE RINGMASTER
I will not deny the influence of Alexander Calder's Circus when it comes to this piece, I've always admired his playful style and use of bold colors.
I DREAMED A GENIE WITH A BIG ROUND HEAD
As a child I used to dream there was a large picture window next to my bed which I would go through and visit unusual places. Fortunately I also had a guardian on these excursions and although I remember it being a good natured giant ape I believe the genie in this picture reveals its true essence.
FUGUE WITH 5 CATS
This piece has components in it from an exhibition of Etruscan art that I attended as well as antique Chinese toys. The three heads and the circular motif lends spiritual overtones to the painting. It is also somewhat mocking in regards to how we all take our religious/spiritual life so seriously, flocking in "birds of a feather" groups for reassurance.
THE NIGHT HAS A THOUSAND EYES
I had a lot of fun doing it, so my inclination is to say that it is about play. It was my first foray into using digital components in a piece. This was also the time that I was consciously using more childlike and primitive forms. The piece expresses a combination of joy and paranoia, much like the feelings I had as a child.
The night has a thousand eyes,
And the day but one;
Yet the light of a bright world dies
When day is done.
The mind has a thousand eyes,
And the heart but one;
Yet the light of a whole life dies
When love is done
- Francis William Bourdillon
WILDLIFE
I had so much fun with the main figure in "The Night Has A Thousand Eyes" I just had to use it again. Images of birds and fish appear again and agin in my paintings. It's probably a childhood thing. When I was an infant we had a budgie that used to dance on my head and as for fish I've always loved them but not to eat, it also could have some relationship to early christian symbolism.
SAVE THE LAST DANCE FOR ME
This piece was inspired by a story in Susan Feldmann's book "The Story-Telling Stone". Unfortunately its been many years since I read it so I'm no longer sure which story it was. It may even have been a combination of a few.
EL VIAJE
I was reading and listening to tapes by Clarisa Pincola Estees (“Women Who Run With the Wolves”) when I did this piece. It is about a journey through the doors that open and close to us during our lives and the choices we make to go through them or not.
HARLEQUIN HORSE
Chagall meets Calder.
COO
The original title of this was going to be "Bini Nodus" (Pair Bond) . I've always loved the hypnotic overtone to this piece, just like any couple we are entranced by each other sometime one overshadowing the other often positions reversing themselves, where the hypnotist becomes the subject.
THE CELLIST
THE GUITAR PLAYER
THE TAMING OF PEGASUS or GUMBY AND POKEY ON MT. OLYMPUS
OLYMPIA MEETS THE VOODO QUEEN
This was done specifically for an exhibition called "Olympia" whose goals it was to reinterpret Manet's masterpiece. My take was a little less serious than many in the exhibition. It was also the first piece I completed after an accident which shattered my upper humerus and required that I have an titanium implant.
LET YOUR CONSCIENCE BE YOUR GUIDE
And the Blue Fairy said: Now, remember, Pinocchio: be a good boy. And always let your conscience be your guide.
Not always so easy is it?
Collage of colored copies, acrylic paint and pencil
ON CLEAR SUMMER NIGHTS I SING DUETS WITH THE MOON
As well as being my favorite painting/intaglio title (to date) I was going for a simplicity of line and shape akin to ancient or aboriginal cabe paintings, but in my usual way image intertwined, one becoming an essential part of the other.
THE ELECTRONIC BABYSITTER
A comment on using TV to keep the kiddies quiet rather than engaging them in creative human interaction
GHOST IN THE MACHINE
The body and the mind are ordinarily harnessed together, but after the death of the body the mind may continue to exist and function. This piece is comprised of two polaroid image transfers, reworked with colored pencil
DONKEY OTE
Part of the short lived Literary Allusions series
ANTIE MAME
Just a play on words of the book and movie by Patrick Dennis.
THEY CALL ME FISHMEAL
Part of the short lived Literary Allusions series. Of course it is play on the opening lines of Moby Dick
LITTERARY CRITIC
A statue has never been set up in honor of a critic. — -Sibelius
NATIONAL GEOGRAPHIC
An island beauty, I spent many hours as a child and young adult looking through the pages of National Geographic dreaming of beautiful, exotic, places and people, and yes the photos of bare breasted women were an integral part of my puberty (at least I'll admit it).
This piece is comprised of two polaroid image transfers, pencil and oil pastels.
ICKABOD CRANE
Part of the short lived Literary Allusions series. Based on a character in The Legend of Sleepy Hallow by Washington Irving
MEDUSA
Part of the short lived Literary Allusions series . Inspired by the myth of the medusa.
TRIPLETS
BODY AND SOUL
BODY OF EVIDENCE II
DANCE OF THE MINOTAUR
IRONBOUND
This piece was one of a series of pieces done using cut up photos, laser printed acetate and acrylic paint.
It relates both to bodybuilders and a section of Newark, NJ called The Ironbound Section.
HARLEQUIN
Mixed Media collage using photos, color copies, b&w copies on acetate, acrylic paint and string
OBSESSION
At some point in our lives all of us have become obsessed whether it be with a new love, an old love, ideas, art, or any of the myriad things we as humans desire to fill a certain emptiness. Mixed Media collage using photos, color copies, b&w copies on acetate, acrylic paint and string
A CLASSIC CASE
This is about a fall from grace or at least a perceived one. I'm sure everyone feels that they have experienced this at least once in their lives.
VASILISA AND THE GOLDEN SHIP
Taking liberties with Russian folktales
SUN DANCE
THE ADORATION
This painting was inspired by an evening vision of the "Cradle Moon" with Venus hovering just above it. Call me sentimental but moments of simple beauty brought into being by complicated celestial events are worth serious contemplation.
More info on moon phase names.
January - Wolf Moon
February - Snow Moon or Storm Moon
March - Worm Moon
April - Pink Moon or Seed Moon
May - Flower Moon or Hare Moon
June - Strawberry Moon or Dyad Moon
July - Buck Moon or Mead Moon
August - Sturgeon Moon
September - Harvest Moon
October - Hunter's Moon or Blood Moon
November - Beaver Moon or Snow Moon
December - Cold Moon or Oak Moon
Blue Moon - When 2 full moons occur in a lunar month the 2nd full moon is called a Blue Moon
THE AMBASSADOR
PRAYER
DEEP TIME
This was inspired by a book by Gregory Benford (“Deep Time”) which discusses how humanity communicates across the millenia. The piece meshes the linear style of Egyptian, Mayan, with a little touch of Chinsese artwork as well as incorporating elements from early sumerian alphabets.
BIRD IN HAND
Bird in Hand incorporates many Sumerian cuneiform symbols as well as figures in yogic and ballet stances. The heads of the figures are a combination of instruments and parts of a gondola. For me the building represent a library of knowledge, both scientific, cultural and spiritual written knowledge that needs to be protected from the the ever present danger of religious fundamentalism that is pervaiding the world at the moment.
THREE AND THE MOON
The title of this piece came from a book of French folk tales. The content of the book really has nothing to do with this picture but it matched so much I couldn't help using it. Three and the Moon is basically a family portrait of my wife, myself our first dog and our bird all melded into one intricate family unit. It is also about love and illusion, I'll leave that one up to you to figure out. The figure at the top I call "The little old lady who was a shoe", and as often fish make an appearance. Also under the main figure is my homage to an old cartoon show "Colonel Bleep"
NOCTURNAL MISSION
Night swimmers, find a breeding vessel.
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Paintings | Mixed Media | Mixed Media Early Works | Digital Works | Assemblages
Drawings | Drawings - The Early Works | Photography
Poetry | Music | Videos |
Recent Works | Exhibitions | Graphic Design
Links | Resources | Contact