The Hands of Time

Time passes independently of people. The concept of fate is one that has baffled the greatest thinkers the world has ever seen. This piece represents the belief that although our lives pass before us without the need of our permission, we have the capacity in our hearts and minds to shape our destiny. The law of attraction states that thoughts become things. If this is so, then we all possess the ability to be and do anything we have ever imagined.

"The hands of time" shows the progression of time throughout ancient civilizations and into the contemporary period. It is meant to show that enlightenment and knowledge are attainable independent of time. The "architect" that dominates the painting touches the young women at a spot on the forehead where the pineal gland resides. René Descartes, who dedicated much time to the study of the pineal gland, called it the "seat of the soul". He believed that it was the point of connection between the intellect and the body.

The depiction of the chessboard encased in the ancient Egyptian pyramids shows that true thought could lead the human race beyond their physical limitations into age of spiritual enlightenment. The past contains a wealth of knowledge that is absolutely essential in order to understand what our future holds. However, we have been diluted with fabrications of history for far too long; it is up to us as individuals to seek out the truth. The time has come to transcend our limitations and truly become one with the forces that pull us through time.

Tied Up

The beauty embodied by a woman is perfect. Many great men have succumbed to an emotional irrationality that only can be sparked by the presence of such beauty. All to often these sirens are cold, calculating beings, which take the hearts and souls of men. But every so often if we are lucky enough, our true love is discovered. The deep connection that true love brings to a man that can empower him beyond his wildest machinations. The two female figures in the painting represent the choice that every man must face in the course of life. To what beauty am I to be a slave? The eye being stitched shut shows the strength of character that is required to balance the rigors of life with the delicacy of a relationship.

The painting is meant to reflect the struggle that each of us encounters with one another, the struggle between success and happiness. To master the two is a deft display of determination and compromise. It is easy to get tied up with superficial distractions in the world we live, but the attainment of professional success and emotional happiness is nirvana. Trust, love, and acceptance flow not from the physical form but from a place that cannot be defined.

Pray For Hip Hop

The term "Hip hop" brings pictures of rap artists driving expensive cars, objectifying women, and flaunting their "bling". It produces visions of urban life, gangs, violence, and poverty. To those who understand the true nature of hip hop culture; it is not an authentic depiction. Hip-hop is an expression of independence and understanding, a vehicle to take an imperfect world, and through art, make it easier to understand. Pray for hip-hop was inspired by the unwillingness to let true hip-hop die.

This painting shows that the necessity for survival in urban environments can force good men into a "by whatever means necessary" mentality. But there are also men and women who keep the true essence of hip hop alive, the music that inspires a generation to reach for their dreams, the art and graffiti that uniquely expresses pain, love, and beauty. The struggle between good and evil is raging all around us everyday, this painting was inspired by my love of the idea of hip hop at its roots, and my desire to keep the movement alive. The 1973- at the top of the painting represents the birth of the Zulu nation; generally accepted as the "beginning" of the culture. The piece chronicles hip-hop through its infancy, its golden age, and into its present state. What started with true artistry developed into commercialized "fake" hip-hop; the "insta-rapper" kit, groupies, and bottles of champagne represent this commercialization.

But true hip-hop is alive and the pulse grows stronger everyday. The angelic microphone represents the idea that the hip-hop movement can positively affect the course of history. The idea that we embrace the curses of our culture while nurturing the gifts we receive is depicted with "gift" and "curse" tattoos on the DJ who is in the background holding up the painting.