Comments by David Derr on his Paintings

NIGHT AT IDRIS

This painting was inspired by a description of
"The Rock of Cader Idris" .

It is an old tradition of the Welsh bards,
that on the summit of the mountain Cader Idris
is an excavation resembling a couch;
and that whoever should pass a night in that hollow,
would be found in the morning either dead,
in a state of frenzy,
or endowed with the highest poetical inspiration.

I lay on that rock where the storms have their dwelling,
The birthplace of phantoms, the home of the cloud;
Around it for ever deep music is swelling,
The voice of the mountain-wind, solemn and loud.
'Twas a midnight of shadows all fitfully streaming,
Of wild waves and breezes, that mingled their moan;
Of dim shrouded stars, as from gulfs faintly gleaming;
And I met the dread gloom of its grandeur alone.

I lay there in silence - a spirit came o'er me;
Man's tongue hath no language to speak what I saw:
Things glorious, unearthly, pass'd floating before me,
And my heart almost fainted with rapture and awe.
I view'd the dread beings around us that hover,
Though veil'd by the mists of mortality's breath;
And I call'd upon darkness the vision to cover,
For a strife was within me of madness and death.

I saw them - the powers of the wind and the ocean,
The rush of whose pinion bears onward the storms;
Like the sweep of the white-rolling wave was their motion,
I felt their dim presence, - but knew not their forms!
I saw them-the mighty of ages departed-
The dead were around me that night on the hill:
From their eyes, as they pass'd, a cold radiance they darted,-
There was light on my soul, but my heart's blood was chill.

I saw what man looks on, and dies? but my spirit
Was strong, and triumphantly lived through that hour;
And, as from the grave, I awoke to inherit
A flame all immortal, a voice, and a power!
Day burst on that rock with the purple cloud crested,
And high Cader Idris rejoiced in the sun;?
But O! what new glory all nature invested,
When the sense which gives soul to her beauty was won!

by Felicia Hemans (1793 - 1835)

ORPHIC MODULATION
This painting is one of my personal favorites and has an interesting story behind it. Before this was created I had a dream of being in a long sunlit gallery with windows on the entire left wall. This painting was hanging in the gallery. The original version of this is a small monoprint which I then enlarged in acrylic to the present size. To me this paintings subject is about transformation and/or birth. The light area behind the main figure is indicative of the all encompassing creative spirit. The web on the left I have called the web of life. The main figure(s) is in the process of formation or transformation.

NUDE IN AMBER
A self-portrait from a photo taken of me when made my living as an artists model. You meet the most interesting people. My dear friend and mentor Sue Turconi took the original photo which accidentally got acid washed, however the final b&w negative was still a wonder.

DAWN
This is the first painting I did when I started "studying" painting. Most of the realistic painting I have done were during that period, every now and then I go back and paint a realistic picture (Sacred Space being the last one) just to keep those skills honed. This is also the only painting I ever did that was a copy and one by another artist, whose name I don't recall.

EARLY MORNING IN THE PLANT ROOM
I always loved the dark moodiness of this painting, and it's ability to change under different lighting conditions. During the day the all the plants are easily distinguished, however at night it darkens, which is great, because the painting has a life of its own, but I always put a light on it.

STILL LIFE WITH IRIS
This is a pretty straight forward still life. It was purchased by former Mayor of Jersey City, Brett Schundler.

WATER LILIES
I was mostly fascinated by what was going on underwater in this one.

THE ORPHAN
I took a photo of an old barn window that had a birds nest in the lower right . I added the solitary egg to add some drama and some content so it wasn't just another still life. This must have worked since it sold within hours of it first being exhibited

STILL LIFE
Done in an old masters style. The blue eggs make another appearance.

RURAL DELIVERY (MY FATHER'S HOUSE)
This is a landscape on my father-in-law's front lawn in Lake Huntington, NY.

WHIMPY
A portrait of our beloved cat who has now moved on.

EGRET
Getting the light effect on the bird was the focus on this painting.
It could be anywhere of a million places along the east coast since the egrets have started to repopulate the area. I like to think of it as being at Otter Lake in PA.

CAPE MAY - FOURTH OF JULY
I saw this house when we went to visit Cape May on vacation. It was great to walk around town and see all the houses decked out for the Fourth.

DYING BREED
There used to be this old 5-star truck dinner in Fairfield across from the old Curtiss Wright Plant. The dinner is done now replaced by something non-descript. The charm of these dinners are wonder in that they are like railroad cars and are without all the mirrors and tacky decorating of modern dinners. And the food was really good. The person who owned it used to go away for a month or two in the summer to go fishing, the reference photo was taken during that time. Most recently this painting was used as the cover for the CD "Dying Breed" by Dan May

SACRED SPACE
There is a place in Warwick, NY called "Pacem in Terra" (Peace on earth), devoted to honoring all world religions and cultures. It is or was owned by artist and author Fredrick Frank (Zen Seeing, Zen Drawing). It is one of the most inspiring places I have ever been. The area is loaded with his sculptures and little places like this, including a huge buddha's head with a piece of glass for a third eye (see my digital work Fantasy), and a fish suspended on a wire hovering over a waterfall. It was originally a 18th century grist mill which he and his wife saved from becoming a garbage dump. In the summer there used to be chamber music concerts and plays performed in the old gristmill. If you go looking for it it's off Covered Bridge Road just before the "T" in the road,

HALE-BOP
I always wanted to paint a "night painting" the arrival of Comet Hale-Bop in 19?? helped supply the right subject.

THE SUNBATHERS
At the time this was painted my wife and I were living in a Garden Apartment, still days be the pool were relaxing.

GONE IS THE LOVE THAT WAS SO BOVINE
These series of "Cow" paintings were an exercise in cropping the cows in such a way that the surface was mostly a black and white abstract. The only thing that gives it away is the eye, which also has the only other color in painting due to the chronic conjunctivitis that cows are prone to. The titles were all a pun(ishment).The reference photos were taken across from my father-in-laws farmhouse. It was fun to get up close and personal with the cows. I knew they were big but when your standing next to one it really hits you. Once funny story is that one of the cows would start peeing a stream (and I mean a stream) and one by one all the rest joined in.

MOOVE OVER
A dyptich in the "Cow" Series. See above.

BEEFORE WE SAY GOODBY
A sad farewell. Part of the "Cow Series. See above.

IN THE MOOD
I always imagined this one as striking a pose as if she was a supermodel among cows.Part of the "Cow Series. See above.

IF HEFFER I SEE YOU AGAIN
It must be in the eyes, "you'll regret it, not today, but tomorrow, and for the rest of your life".

MOTHER EARTH, FATHER SKY
The original figures were adapted from gesture drawings. The title is a reference to American Indian mythology.

MOON OVER MOROCCO
This was inspired by a radio series of the same name produced by ZBS foundation. For proverbs from "Moon Over Morocco" go to http://oneproverb.net/bwfolder/mombw.html
One of my favorites being "Do not shoot a glass arrow into a painted deer."

CONDOM NATION
This painting along with the mixed media piece "Prayer" was completed for an AIDS awareness exhibition. The fun part of this one was going into pharmacies and asking for a 50 pack of condoms. The looks and smirks were worth it, it added a little bit of humor to a very grim subject.

ANGEL IN THE SKY
I was driving one day, looked up and there it was, the contrails from a jet made this "Klee-ish" kind of figure. I had to pull over and make a quick sketch.

THE WINGED
This and a few other paintings as well as numerous drawings, were inspired by a performance of Jose Limon's dance "The Winged" performed by the Julliard Dance Ensemble, it was the first time it had been performed in 20 years and what made it special was that it was performed with new music written specifically for it in that (any dance buff's out there correct me if I'm wrong) the original was not scored.

TRANSFIGURATION
In the beginning there was a creature not yet fully man, then he became self aware full of new potential (I'm not sure if we have yet reached our full potential as a species,)

BIRDLAND
This and a few other paintings as well as numerous drawings, were inspired by a performance of Jose Limon's dance "The Winged" performed by the Julliard Dance Ensemble, it was the first time it had been performed in 20 years and what made it special was that it was performed with new music written specifically for it in that (any dance buff's out there correct me if I'm wrong) the original was not scored.

THE WINGED II
This and a few other paintings as well as numerous drawings, were inspired by a performance of Jose Limon's dance "The Winged" performed by the Julliard Dance Ensemble, it was the first time it had been performed in 20 years and what made it special was that it was performed with new music written specifically for it in that (any dance buff's out there correct me if I'm wrong) the original was not scored.

BLISS
Part of my series involving combining features of birds and components of puppets, which was inspired by a performance of Hose Limon's "The Winged". The composition of this piece uses repetitive U shapes, to indicate an uplifting of the spirit and an over triangular shape for stability. The use of the bird head and wings adds to this feeling of soaring of spirit, while the stylized puppet components adds some playfullness.

THE RECITAL
This painting was inspired by a performance of American Art Songs by the soprano Karen Beardsley at Carnegie Hall (Weill Recital Hall). I hope I was able to capture a little bit of the delightful performance, the artists, and the music they presented.

THE JUGGLER
A whimsical painting.

MIRROR, MIRROR
A joyful and playful use of color and line embodies the reflection of ourselves we see everyday. This painting is part of "The Winged" series using figures inspired by Jose Limon's dance "The Winged". The main content of the piece is a pictorial illustration a familiar quote from "Sleeping Beauty". Interestingly enough I am told the "Mira" is Spanish means beauty (please correct me if I'm wrong). The light pastel colors and a composition using ascending "V" shapes both add to the dance and floating quality of the painting.

QUARTET
This painting is about the bond that forms between musicians and their instruments, each other and the music. With familiarity, instruments, musicians and the music they play can almost become one entity.

MADONNA AND CHILD
Delicate color and sensuous lines form the basis of this innocently sophisticated portal of a classic theme. Done is a pre-cubist style the painting incorporating elements of the style of Brancussi and elements of Americana. The stylized shape of the child's head came from a dream and was also incorporated into my painting Two Left Feet" . What is not clear in the image posted here are the figures on the walls in the background which include a reclining nude, and a buddha like figure on the right while on the left are other figures done in a primitive/child style as well as a bird figure reminiscent of the "Fruit Loops Cereal" Tucan.

TWO LEFT FEET
This is about stupidity, dullness and how, especially if it is our own, we are blind to it. (By the way, the main figure actually has two right feet, not two left feet.) The main figure hasn't a clue why he can't mount the horse, even though he is holding the limbo bar that stops him. The horse knows why and gives us that knowing look that says, “I can't believe this guy is so stupid.”

SCHOOLDAYS
The work is full of all sorts of odd things. The little dancing girl is my interpretation of "Baubo" from Greek mythology. The snake is a symbol of knowledge and one of danger (as per Judeo-Christian mythology). The bird/reptile represents different evolutionary theories and of course above all of this floats the eternal spirit of knowledge. The massive amount of knowledge imparted to us during this early leaves us all somewhat amazed and confused.

ONCE IN A BLUE MOON
The subject of this painting is a fall from grace and redemption from same. The main figure is somewhat disheveled with his hair singed. Both of the figures on the right represent hope and good fortune, beside just being playful. In the original there are many other thing going on in the sky Including a man in the moon face, and some faces and figures. The trees on the mountains are actually symbols called wobble trees used on graphs to indicate gravity discrepincies around distant suns, these discrepincies indicate if a planet is orbiting the sun.

FIRE DANCE
Fire Dance is about ritual and dance and the bridge that it creates between this world and those other we do not understand. In this painting the figures were done in a combination of the styles of Inca and Aztec figures with a touch of influence of the Japanese master Hokusi. Using these styles in combination with the theme of a fire dance and the colors of a raging fire burning off the picture plane and its cast shadows gives the composition an ancient and mystical feel evoking the spirit of the dance.

THE KISSING BALLOON
The first version of this painting was done in one evening and was inspired by a line from the Peter Gabriel song "Games Without Frontiers".

MEPHISTO’S WALTZ
The concept behind this painting is the depiction of the conflict between good and evil and dark and light. In it Mephisto is depicted as somewhat attractive and alluring (albeit in a kind of Las Vegas showgirl way) which can make it easier for people to be seduced by this deception into actions that seem on the surface to be serving good but in fact can be just the opposite. The position of the main figures foot residing on top of the gray head represent suppression (suppression of ideas, speech, beliefs, artistic expression, knowledge, etc.) in the name of noble causes. The books and the door to what I consider the library is also relates to this theme. The blue horse represents good intentions which can sometimes be distorted by those who would use them for their own purposes. The figure with the mask is just that, people hide behind masks all the time for good or ill. The dancing croc is a representation of the same ideas as above. Sometimes things that seem playful and innocent have sharp claws. In the upper right is the golden statue representing all things good.
I did however try to make the overall feel of the painting playful because I believe all this is some great dance or game to which we don’t have the music..
The inspiration for completion of this painting came from the fact that I was studying for a performance of Shumann’s “Scene’s from Faust” (I sing with the Masterwork Chorus in NJ) and even though the original sketch was done a year or so before in all jelled around that time. So when it comes down to it the whole picture has a kind of Faustian theme.
There are more figures floating in and out of the background that don’t show up very well on the web that ad to the overall theme of the painting also some of the same can only be seen when viewed from a distance.

LAST TANGO WITH PARROT
The main figure in this painting is drawn in the meso-american (Aztec/Olmec/Inca) style and is a modern version of the "feathered serpent" of ancient lore, albeit I have made it less sinister. The sun relates to the meso-american cult of sun worship while the patterns are reminiscent of the textiles of the area. The piece is also painted in bright colors representative of that area of the world.

NIGHT DANCE OF THE MAD COW
My response to all the concern over Mad Cow disease. We are amused. The color scheme uses southwest earth tones intensified. The combination of "mound", "V" and triangular shapes form an image plane that dances while remaining grounded. I consider the fly's to be akin to grace notes in a musical composition.

WALKING THE DOG
The original sketch and drawing for this painting was done a year or two before we were blessed with the arrival of the cutest and most friendly dog in the world (yes I'm biased, but it's true). I have spent many hours, through all season accompanying him on his trips of good will (and other essentials) throughout the neighborhood, and have learned much about the beauty of just being in the moment.

FAMILY TIES
My friend Lee gave me this 4' x 5' canvas to work on . I decided to do a composition using figures representing his family and interest. To me “family” is about the intertwining of souls (ties, knots, bonds) in a close relationship, which is why the figures are forming a kind of celtic knot as well as the symbol for infinity, since the concept of family transcends humanity. Through family we ride a kind of roller coaster of interpersonal relationships. Sometimes they are supportive and elevate, sometimes not, which I have interpreted in this painting by floating the figures so they can be either ascending or descending.

TESTING THE WATERS
This painting speaks on many different levels but for me it's about an innocent making his way into the world, in other words a comment on "coming of age" but perhaps not in terms of physical age but a mental and emotional maturity. Then again sometimes it's just about testing the waters before jumping into a pond.

TEMPEST AND THE TEAPOT
A twist on an old saying and a traditional still life.

CONCERTO FOR DINGO AND TIKKI GOD
An unusual concert. Notice the large eighth note shape in the background starting in the upper (slightly to the) right and continuing to the lower right.

GU GU G’JUB
I am the egg man, I am the egg man, I am the walrus

ST. GEORGE AND THE ITTY BITTY DRAGON
My intention with this piece was to emulate the early 15th century painting styles and composition which I found somewhat iconographic and translate that feel to my own style and sensibility. To the left are few representations of 15th century depiction of the subject. I have always found this kind of painting style as well as more primitive ones more emotionally evocative, somehow when things are painted too realistically some of the soul is missing, at least for me.

For those of you who are unfamiliar with the story of St. George and the Dragon here is a brief synopsis.

The story of St George and the Dragon was Eastern in origin, brought back with the Crusaders. The earliest known depiction of the St. George and the Dragon is from early eleventh-century. In the fully-developed Western version, a dragon makes its nest at the spring that provides water for the city of Cyrene in Libya or the city of Lydda, depending on the source. Consequently, the citizens have to dislodge the dragon from its nest for a time, in order to collect water. To do so, each day they offer the dragon a human sacrifice. The victim is chosen by drawing lots. One day, this happened to be the princess. The monarch begs for her life with no result. She is offered to the dragon, but there appears the saint on his travels. He faces the dragon, slays it and rescues the princess. The grateful citizens abandon their ancestral paganism and convert to Christianity.

The parallels with Perseus and Andromeda are inescapable. In the allegorical reading, the dragon embodies a suppressed pagan cult. The story has roots that predate Christianity. Examples such as Sabazios, the sky father, who was usually depicted riding on horseback, and Zeus's defeat of Typhon the Titan in Greek mythology, along with examples from Germanic and Vedic traditions, have led a number of historians, such as Loomis, to suggest that George is a Christianized version of older deities in Indo-European culture.
In the medieval romances, the lance with which St George slew the dragon was called Ascalon, named after the city of Ashkelon in Palestine, now part of modern day Israel.

More on St. George

JUGGLING NIRVANA
In silence 
the mime moves the balls in the air 
careful not to falter lest one falls, 
cracking 
shattering a million dreams
his focus turned inward 
while watching outward 
spiral within spiral
love within love
peace within peace  
he find stillness in motion  .

SPIN
The sad worried eyes
Stare transfixed upon the spinning rings
 Interlocked and moving with a subsonic hum 
Crystal chimes sound when they touch 
forming and releasing new possibilities
The rings of fate continue to spin  
His raised hand, in a blessing 
Sends out waves of chance, 
Colliding with strings of time
 Creating random symphonies of life, 
moving in lush rhythms 
Ascending into the violent serenity of chaos 
His strained face,
 covered by the living moko
 Reflects the insistent and maddening songs of the muses
 Eternally demanding his vigilance 
Their constant cravings never ceasing 
He questions the overwhelming responsibility of movement, 
Of creativity, of dancing in the moment
 Of giving birth 
And letting go  

The rings continue to spin 

RESURRECTION OF THE MAGI
  This painting deals with the resurrection of an ancient religion.
 However, the twist is that the priest have become priestesses.
 The Wise Men, become Wise Women.
The following reference is from "The Atlas of Mysterious Places" edited by Jennifer Westwood.

 The Magi, originally members of a tribe who live in northwest Iran, were widely regarded throughout the ancient world as the privileged priests of Zoroastrianism. The Three Wise Men, were said to travel from Saveh in Iran to witness the birth of Jesus in Bethlehem, were Magi. From this word comes the word "magic", once used to denote the rites of Zoroastrianism. Later, when that faith was supplanted by other religions, it simply came to mean "sorcery". 
Zoroastrianism was a reformed version of the Aryan faith (google Mithra) stressing the principle of dualism - the eternal conflict between the creator Ahuramazda and his adversary Ahriman, between Good and Evil, Truth and Lie.  Fire is the central feature of Zoroastrianism as the symbol of Ahuramsda. Modern Parsees (only 130,00 modern day Zoroastrians live in Bombay, India) maintain, as their ancestors did, a perpetual fire in their temples. The priests still wear veils to prevent their breath from contaminating the purity of the fire and only clean, dry wood is used.

The magi awakes,
 leaving her tomb, her womb 
upon the hill of Chronos

  Her veiled face protects the sacred fire

Gliding forward over the hot coals 
she stops, peers into the heart of the fire
and sees the birth of the unconquered sun.

Enchantments from the distant past
 echo in her mind
 filled with promise and mystery

Once revered, then despised
 She begins the voyage, 
rekindling the lost wisdom
 that led her fore bearers journey to the light of mankind.

She kisses the sun,
 is consumed briefly by the fire,
 swimming in heavens revelations,
 watching as light triumph over darkness.  

The black river is transformed
 From the endless stream of death and torment
 into the endless life giving fountain.
Charon stops his endless toil, 
transforms into a luminous sphere,
 and is lifted to the moon, 
joining it in an eternal embrace.

  The window on eternity has become transparent again. 

I ONLY HAVE EYE FOR YOU 
This piece is a love story, with overtones of childhood playthings, cartoons, and myths. It’s subtitle is “Temptation wears a red dress and pearls”. The female cyclops figure owes something to the cartoon “The Jetsons” and yet denies it. She is obviously smitten by Mr. Potatohead with his mystical fez, and apparently the feeling is mutual. The background is composed of partially formed images adding to the pictorial representation on how when we are in love many of the peripheral things of life seem to take on a ghostly form, not mattering as much as the passion and love in some cases obsession we feel for the object of our desire. The potato mans heart serves as both a show of emotional passion as well as one of physical desire. The fez represents the higher platonic forms of love. His hand is placed to his ear as he listens to the sirens song of love.

SIT, STAY
The tables are turned on dog and master.

MADONNA OF THE BIG FOOT
Another day, another Pie-toe, Oh for the love of Christ.

EQUSS-NOX
A horse dream.

DAWN OF THE SCHNOOD
Another painting about one of my crazy dogs, plus some random zaniness.

A DAY AT THE BEACH
The title pretty much says it all

DREAMS AND PROMISES
Dreams and Promises utilizes an image of a Maasai moran wearing a enkuraru head dress used in the eunuto ceremony when a warrior who has not yet killed a lion pass from senior warrior to junior elder status. The headdress also is in an almond shape that symbolizes the feminine in the universe and a rebirth. Therefore the dream element, a dream of a brighter future... the floating suggested figures also suggest a dream state, each of which has their own symbolism for me but are open to interpretation by anyone. The man in the background I see as a salesman, a dream seller, making promises he cannot always keep. There is an analogy to big business and also agents for artists. In many ways this piece is also a political analogy.

WRESTLERS
My friend Drew that I've know since high school coaches an adult wrestling team. This painting was based on a photo that was taken at the Gay Olympic Games in Stuttgart, Germany. As soon as I saw it posted online I new I wanted to do a painting of it. The classical pyramidal composition of the two bodies creates a very grounded composition creates a tension with the obvious movement of the bodies and the exquisite musculature of two fine athletes.

RETURN OF THE SUN KING
This was done without any preparatory sketches, not unlike one of my palette paintings. I just kept laying down colors, looking for images as I like to still do looking at clouds, then making them just a bit more apparent. This technique give the images that childlike and primitive feel that I have always found appealing.

UP. WHEEEE!!!
A boy and his dog, kinda...

THE BIRTH OF JOY
Joy comes in many forms. In this image it's mainly about a boys first ejaculation.

BOUNCE
Just a playful piece.

LOTUS BLOSSOM
The mystical beauty of Lotus flowers arising from the depths.

FIELD IN OLNEY
Part of a series of landscape painting of the midwest, specifically around Olney, Illinois

AFTER THE STORM
Part of a series of landscape painting of the midwest, specifically around Olney, Illinois

WAVE WALKER
A summer fantasy

BONEFISH SERENADE
A love song.

WILLIAM TELL AND HIS HORSE
William Tell with this trusty horse.

THE WHORE'S BATH (LA BAIN DE LA PUTE)
My interpretation of Manet's "Olympia"

FIELD STREAM
Part of a series of landscape painting of the midwest, specifically around Olney, Illinois

THE WHITE ROOF
Part of a series of landscape painting of the midwest, specifically around Olney, Illinois

BARN IN OLNEY
Part of a series of landscape painting of the midwest, specifically around Olney, Illinois

SURFER DUDE REASSEMBLED
I took a painting I did of Surfer Dude, cut it up and reassemble it.

HOLY WEEK
An abstract depiction of the mysteries of Holy Week

THE STUDIO
The Studio of the well known Swedish Illustrator Carl LarssonIO

HERE AND GONE
A truck just drove down an old dirt road

DRYING OFF
Young man drying off on the boat after a swim in the water

HOMME EN BATEAU VERT (MAN IN GREEN BOAT)
A man rows his old boat into the middle of a mist covered lake for some morning solitude

MAN IN THE RUSHES
A moment communing with nature before a swim

RAPTURE OF THE ANIMALS (THE CONVERSION OF ST. FRANCIS)
St. Francis is converted to the cause of animals.

ATTACK FROM MONKEY ISLAND
This piece is a pictorial representation of mediation and detachment in dealing with the our monkey mindedness

MORNING RITUAL
We all have our morning rituals, mine must include a shower or I won't feel awake.

FANTASY IN THE GARDEN
An imaginary musician play a fantasy on lute conjuring thought forms.

THE BIRTH OF DORIS
My take on Botticelli, "Birth of Venus". In greek mythology Doris is the mother of the wife of the sea God Neptune. The closest thing the greeks had to a female diety of the ocean.

MI HIJO (MY CHILD)
A mother holds her adult child protectively. I will leave it up to each viewer to construct their own story of the circumstances.

ADAM
A portrait of friend of a friend done from a bad selfie during the pandemic sequester.

STONECUTTERS DAYDREAM
The stone cutter takes a well deserved break while visions dance in his thoughts

SOLSTICE
A magical time of the year when people take the time to appreciate the changing of the seasons.

THE WAIT
He waits for love and justice.

THE ARRIVAL
A portrait of a South American native

SENSE OF WONDER
Never loose the sense of wonder in all things. It keeps you young in mind and spirit

I SEE YOU
Peek a boo. I See You.

THE SECRET GARDEN
Luscious landscape/still life of a vine in front of an old wal

UKIYO - THE FLOATING WORLD
Ukiyo (floating/fleeting/transient world) is the Japanese term used to describe the urban lifestyle and culture, especially the pleasure-seeking aspects, of Edo period Japan (1600–1867). Ukiyo culture developed in Yoshiwara, the licensed red-light district of Edo (modern-day Tokyo), the site of many brothels frequented by Japan's growing middle class.

REVERIE
A moment of contemplation

SUMMER READING
For those of us who love books Summer Reading is a special time to let the imagination fly.

ENJOY THE RIDE
A image of a subway going past carrying people who have been partying thru the night.

DRAWING DOWN THE MOON
This is the oil painting version of the digital piece of the same name. Sunset and dusk is a magical time

FELUCCA SUNSET - THE CROSSING
A Felucca travels the Nile and Sunset

THE ENGLISH GARDEN
The English Garden in Munich.

DISTANT SHORE
A combination of styles. Chinese type trees with a modern twist to the landscape.

READING ROOM
A young man reads a book while camping near the light of a campfire

FIBONACCI DREAMS
I was playing around with images of shells and a nude. I was very much creating a sense of transparency and depth and using a graphic way of building the entire image.

THE BULL AND THE CROW
This painting was developed from one of my original digital works of art that combines multiple image layers and drawings to create a unique piece. I then used that and edited it again, changed the dimensions and some of the content. The Bull/Judge has always been the main focus of the piece.
Interestingly enough I was going for a "Klee" type of structure to the bull's body, but later realized while painting it that it looked shocking like Ruth Bader Ginsbert (I think its the neck decoration. There is a story here between the bull and the crow but I will leave that up to each individual viewer to create for themselves.

ST. SEBASTIAN
My take on the iconic imagery of Saint Sebastian, patron saint of soldiers, athletes, archers, bubonic plague victims and in current times has become somewhat of a gay icon.

THE SEDUCTION OF LEDA
The myth of Leda and the Swan is sometimes filled with imagery of Zeus raping Leda. Perhaps it was not a rape but a seduction. Swans are very beautiful creatures.

ON THE ROOF
This is one of a few Palette Painting created by myself and my friend DJ Dougherty. At the end of the day of painting leftover paint is applied experimentally on a canvas, layer after layer. Then one of us will bring it all together to "finish" the piece.

MOONLIGHT BLUES
The original inspiration of this piece is part of a B&W photo of a man playing guitar and a young man playing a fiddle. They both look like "working" men, kinda dirty and rough. I imagine it was taken around the time of the "dustbowl" event in the US. I altered the image digitally adding colors and texture, the moon and birds. His hands almost seem to move and his clothes have an irridescent quality.

A MAN AND HIS BOAT
Again the original was from a photo off the internet that I altered digitally, then that is altered as I'm doing the painting. I was fascinated by the reflections of the water on the boat as well as his foot under the water. It is painted yet not painted, just a suggestion, we fill in the details.
I'm a big fan of painting musculature, its just so much fun and I'm always surprised at how effortless it seems and yet with amazing results.

Pegasus
Pegasus is one of the best known creatures in Greek mythology. He is a winged divine stallion usually depicted as pure white in color. He was sired by Poseidon, in his role as horse-god, and foaled by the Medusa when her head was cut off by Perseus. A bit different than the timeline in Clash of the Titans.

The Beginning - Medusa
The Roman author Ovid describes the mortal Medusa as a beautiful maiden seduced by Poseidon in a temple of Athena. Such a sacrilege attracted the goddess' wrath, and she punished Medusa by turning her hair to snakes

Posiedon
My take on Posiedon, ruler of the waters in Greek Mythology.

Chiron
This is my representation of the centaur Chiron from greek mythology. Chiron was a doctor and also was the teacher of Achilles.

Calling the Muse
Inspiration comes in many forms, not all of them pleasant.

Thru the Door
There is a recurring theme that shows up in painting here and there. It is one of going thru a door. Whether it is a regular door or a trans-dimensional door varies from painting to painting.

The Catch
A great blue heron has speared a catfish for his meal.

Camping
This was an exercise using a limited pallette and capturing the feel on the forest at night while camping, I can almost hear and smell the woods.

Desire
Desire is like a stallion running wild.

BC - Before Coffee
That state between waking up, and after the first cup of coffee.

Oceans Edge
A "Palette Painting" usually done with paint that is leftover on the palette at the end of the day. They tend to be experimental and abstract.

Dreamscape 1
Another abstract pallette painting

Red Dragon
Another "pallette painting"

The Messenger
Originally this was tittled "The Children's Crusade" but the figure turned out being not so much a child. It wound up leaning more toward feeling like Mercury the Messenger of the Gods.

Whispers of Steel
A warrior connects with the song of the sword before battle.

The Cavern Keep
A Merman rests in his keep after an trying excursion.

Behind the Veil
With this painting was going for a "mystery" in the figure and the glowing globe. I kept thinking of the greek myth of the Delphic Sybil that legend states had prophetic powers.

Maid of Orleans
Joan of Arc or the Maid of Orleans is a patron saint of France, honored as a defender of the French nation for her role in the siege of Orléans and her insistence on the coronation of Charles VII of France during the Hundred Years' War. Claiming to be acting under divine guidance, she became a military leader who transcended gender roles and gained recognition as a savior of France. And then they killed her.
A vibrant and expressive portrait emerges from a riot of warm and cool hues, depicting a character with their eyes closed and what appears to be a violin fused into their body. Bold strokes of red, gold, and blue create a sense of movement and passion.

The Crossing
The idea of crossing dimensions comes up again and again in my works. Perhaps because of all the science fiction I read and have read in the past. if as is common belief (that doesn't make it true) the universe is infinite then there is an infinite number of possibilities, therefore "everything" is true and exitsts somewhere in infinity. The idea then of being able to cross dimensions is feasible, fascinating and somewhat frrightening. Our imaginations give us a glimpse of this.

Fantasy
Swirling patterns and curved lines suggest movement and energy within the piece, while textured areas add depth and interest. This piece has many different levels to it. Upon one viewing you will see one thing and on another something completely different will show up.

Serene
This is a PALETTE PAINTING done in collaboration with DJ Dougherty at our studio. Palette paintings start by putting down paint that is left over at the end of the day on our palettes. It's a relief to just move paint around on a canvas using different tools and marks and to see how different colors blend. The base goes down 4 or more times randomly then we start refining and bringing out objects and figures. The painting are always an adventure. I was the one who finished this piece and it reflects my sessions of figure drawing, but in a very loose and free way.

Dreamcoat
Another palette painting. This one has a loose figure in a cloak or coat as well as aquatic life forms as well as a somewhat aboriginal figure.

Striding
Another palette painting featureing a figure striding through a landscape

Touching the Sun - Aurora
Aurōra renews herself every morning and flies across the sky, announcing the arrival of the Sun. Here she is pictured with flowing hair and gazes thoughtfully to the side, set against a dreamy, surreal landscape. Shades of pink, purple, and orange create a mystical ambiance, blending nature and human form.

Casandra's Lament
A serene face is enveloped in abstract, flowing forms dominated by dark and green tones, with splashes of vibrant colors in the background. The ethereal representation hints at a dreamlike, mystical atmosphere. The ravishing Cassandra, literally “she who entangles men,” was the daughter of Priam and Hecuba, king and queen of Troy. The god Apollo, enamored of her, granted her the power of prophecy but, when she rejected him, sabotaged that power with a curse that no one would believe her predictions.

David Derr Fine Art, Oil Painting, Mixed Media, Digital Art, Assemblages