Satire - Paintings

By the late ‘80’s, I’d reached a wall with my studio art. To break through, I felt I needed to tap into who I really was and how I felt about the world. For too long I’d been denying a place in my art for humor, satire, protest and social commentary, for no reason other than some vague sense that there was no place for it the visual arts. But that, of course, was ridiculous. After all, I grew up with all those Pop Art rabble-rousers of the ‘60’s, artists like Oldenburg and Grooms, who had no reservations about unleashing their innate sense of humor on the world. My parents scoffed at that stuff, but there was a part of me that just loved it. My sketches were often humorous, but I never developed them beyond the sketch page. It took me a long time to get on board that train, but here I am!
 
With this switch came the desire to work with other materials, found objects and the like. I began painting over old guitars, paintings and prints I’d find at thrift stores and flea markets, and I’ve found that very liberating. Here is a sampling of what I’ve come up with.
 element_settings.Image+Text_94464494.defaultTEMPERAMENTAL TORO (9 1/2" x 8") Oil on panel, 2010 (sold)


element_settings.Image+Text_94464494.defaultCONQUEST OF THE ARCTIC (22" x 31 1/4" x 15/16") Acrylic and oil on raised panel, 2015 (sold)


PictureBOBBY SPORTS BERMUDA SHORTS (14 7/8" x 19") Acrylic over found Paint-By-Number painting, 2009 (sold)


PictureCAREER (41 1/2" x 40" x 2 3/8") Acrylic on wood construction, 1995 (sold)


element_settings.Image+Text_94464494.defaultEASTER AND ARTIFICE (51 1/2" x 48 1/4" x 2") Acrylic on wood construction, 1991, $3900


PictureCAGED ICON (62 1/2" x 14 1/4" x 9 1/2") Oil and acrylic on wood, metal and plastic, 1994, $3500


element_settings.Image+Text_94464494.defaultWHAT IT IS TO BE A MAN (17 1/8" x 48 3/4") Oil on three panels and found frame, 1994, $3500


PictureA HISTORY OF MOWING, PART I (28 1/4" x 33 1/2" x 1 5/8") Oil on wood construction, 2009, $2700


PictureSEABROOK I (75" x 33 1/2") Acrylic on wood construction with metal, copper and string, 1990 (sold)


PictureSTIR STICK SUNBURST (33 5/8", tondo x 1 1/2") Latex house paint over wood and paint can lid, 2009 (sold)


PictureSUB VERSION (MY DREAM OF THE ALBACORE) (48" x 35 3/4") Oil on panel, cardboard, spray can and found frame, 1994 (sold)


element_settings.Image+Text_94464494.defaultTHE TRANSFIGURATION, EXPLAINED (15 3/4" x 20") Acrylic over found Paint-By-Number painting, 2005, $800


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FAMILY VALUES (19 3/8” x 37” x 1 7/8”) Oil and acrylic on wood construction, 2004 (sold)
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DR. MALARKY’S MEDICINE SHOW (42 ¼” x 32” x 1”) Acrylic on raised panel, 2019 (sold)
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EASTER ISLAND: THE MYSTERY OF THE MOE-I (20 7/8" x 26 7/8") Acrylic over found Paint-By-Number painting and frame, 2019 (sold)
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THE JOYS OF PLEIN AIR PAINTING (12” x 16”) Acrylic over Paint-By-Number painting by Rich Aharonian (1961), 2020, $950
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"AMERICAN CARNAGE" (18" x 23 15/16") Acrylic over found Paint-By-Number painting, 2024, $2100
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BEAUTY-GO-ROUND (46 5/8" x 46 3/4" x 1 7/16") Acrylic on wood construction, 1994, $2500
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ICON WITH INDIGESTION (17 11/16" x 13 3/4") Acrylic on found, framed print, 1994, $750
PictureWHAT CHILD IS THIS? (22" x 23 1/8") Acrylic and assemblage on found plaster icon, 2004 (sold)


PictureFAME: THE MEMPHIS TRINITY (68 1/2" x 72 1/2" x 2 5/8") Oil on wood construction, 1993 (sold)


element_settings.Image+Text_94464494.defaultCAGED ICON (detail)


element_settings.Image+Text_94464494.defaultLAWNMOWER I: THE NEW HOUSE (33 1/4" x 22 3/8"x 1 9/16") Acrylic on raised wood construction, 2006, $3000


element_settings.Image+Text_94464494.defaultTHE PUBLIC ARTIST (12" x 16") Acrylic over found Paint-By-Number painting, raised, 2014, $950


element_settings.Image+Text_94464494.defaultSLINKY (13 1/2" x 10 5/8", framed) Acrylic over print of a C. Bosseron Chambers painting, 2018 (sold)


element_settings.Image+Text_94464494.defaultMR. SLICK DISCOVERS HE'S STUCK AS A REGIONALIST (14 1/2" x 18 5/8") Oil on found, framed Paint-By-Number painting, 1994 (sold)


element_settings.Image+Text_94464494.defaultWORRYWART, AND THE WEIGHT OF THE WORLD! (36" x 23 13/16" x 1 1/8") Acrylic on raised panel, 2010, $3000


element_settings.Image+Text_94464494.defaultA FINE, YANKEE WELCOME (18 7/8" x 20") Watercolor and ink on Crescent watercolor board, 2016 (sold)


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SASQUATCH JAMBOREE (12 1/8" x 16 1/8") Acrylic over found Paint-By-Number painting and frame, 2019 (sold)
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EVERY BIRDWATCHER’S DREAM (20” x 16”) Acrylic over found Paint-By-Number painting, 2020, $1000
 element_settings.Image+Text_94464494.defaultMR. SLICK AND CHRISTO HAVE IT OUT (12" x 15 7/8") Acrylic over found Paint-By-Number painting, 2018, $950


PictureBAD BOY (4 15/16" x 7 15/16") Acrylic over printed photograph, 2007 (sold)


element_settings.Image+Text_94464494.defaultTHE DUFFERS DO THE DEED (18 1/2" x 22 1/4") Acrylic over found Paint-By-Number painting and frame, 2015 (sold)


element_settings.Image+Text_94464494.defaultLIVIN' THE DREAM (38 1/4" x 24") Oil on canvas, 2009, $2500


element_settings.Image+Text_94464494.defaultOLD McDONALD HAD A FARM (16" x 19 3/4", including frame) Acrylic over found Paint-By-Number painting and frame, 2018 (sold)


PictureMR. SLICK AND THE UNCOOPERATIVE MODEL (12 1/2" x 16 1/2") Acrylic over found Paint-By-Number painting, 2005 (sold)


element_settings.Image+Text_94464494.defaultAMERICAN FOREIGN POLICY (20" x 23 1/8" x 1 5/8") Acrylic and oil on raised panel, 2007, $1200


PictureSEABROOK II (48", tondo) Acrylic on wood construction, with metal and plastic, 1991 (sold)


PictureMR. SLICK (15" x 19") Oil and rope on found, framed Paint-By-Number painting, 1993 (sold)


PictureSPIRIT OF AMERICA (55" x 48") Acrylic on wood construction, 1990 (sold)


PictureSTOKED (THE GLORIOUS BREAK) (20" x 16") Acrylic over found Paint-By-Number painting, 2014 (sold)


PictureMR. SLICK VS. THE VOODOO CHILD, (18" x 24") Acrylic over found Paint-By-Number painting, 2017 (sold)


PictureMR. SLICK: I COVER THE WATERFRONT (12 1/4" x 16 1/4") Acrylic and oil over found Paint-By-Number painting and frame, 2009, $950


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FOREIGN AID (12 3/8" x 9 7/8") Acrylic over print by Paul Dessau in painted frame, 2019, $400
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GO, MOM! (18" x 24") Acrylic and collage over found Paint-By-Number painting, 2019, $900
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BURNT OFFERING (17 5/8" x 13 1/8") Acrylic over collage over found print and frame, 2005, $350
All images are protected by international registered copyright. Any unauthorized use or publication of this work is a violation of, and prohibited by copyright law. The artist specifically reserves all copyrights and reproduction rights for the images and in all artwork created by him, unless those rights are specifically assigned or granted in writing to a second party.
© All artwork copyright Gordon B. Carlisle. All rights reserved.
Copyright © 2017