Mixed Media
This deeply personal 1998 mixed media artwork, titled "Queen of Mango Hill," was created as an intimate tribute to my ex-wife back when we were dating. Built upon a richly textured canvas board, the piece comes alive through an electric collision of violet purples, brilliant teals, and earthy ochres. Dynamic paint splatters and translucent washes bleed across the woven surface, establishing a dreamlike, atmospheric terrain that feels like a sacred entry torn straight from a visual diary.
Anchoring the upper-left quadrant is a collaged photograph of a solitary blackbird perched amid natural foliage, inscribed with the poetic phrase, "die in a crow black dream..." This avian sentinel serves as a direct, tender nod to her appearance during that era—specifically her shiny, waist-length, straight black hair. The surrounding canvas is layered with a rich web of musical echoes, including an Elvis Costello reference scrawled across the top edge ("'Everyday I Write the Book'") and lyrics like "bad medicine in the air..." that capture the romantic tension and emotional currents of young devotion.
In the lower right, a small crown doodle resting above the inscription "Queen of Mango Hill" seals the narrative, celebrating her presence with affection and personal folklore. The interplay between raw, handwritten stream-of-consciousness, expressive acrylic stains, and photographic collage balances vulnerability with vibrant energy. Ultimately, "Queen of Mango Hill" stands as an enduring, evocative time capsule, immortalizing a chapter of romance, youth, and artistic origin.
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Private Collection